More than 60 people were arrested Saturday outside a meeting of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Chicago, Illinois, according to police. The arrests came after police attempted to break up a rally attended by hundreds of people outside the meeting where protesters demand that resources currently put toward law enforcement be invested instead in social programs. In Chicago, about 40 percent of the city budget goes to the police.
A total of 47 women and 19 men were arrested and charged with obstructing traffic, police said. Activists say three people have been released.
Outside 51st & Wentworth for jail support. They have orders to keep us out �� #FundBlackFutures #StopTheCops pic.twitter.com/bE78HjNzvS
— Forever Unimpressed. (@kfromdabay) October 25, 2015
The arrests took place as police chiefs from across the United States gathered for their annual meeting, which comes in the wake of massive protests from New York to Los Angeles over the killing of unarmed people of color by members of law enforcement.
So far this year, 183 unarmed people have been killed by U.S. police, according to The Guardian.
About 50 organizers have been arrested for demanding police be held accountable to the people. Donate now|https://t.co/Ur7TFMkdu6
— BYP100 (@BYP_100) October 24, 2015
Several protesters had chained themselves together. Videos posted on social media showed police using handsaws to break them apart.
The sound of a fighter for justice being cut out of their lockbox. #StopTheCops pic.twitter.com/y3RjfsBNb9
— Chicago Rising (@ChicagoRising) October 24, 2015
In a statement, activists said their goal was to shut down the meeting as a way of demanding “that our lives, our communities and our futures be made a priority.” The police chiefs “and their local departments have a debt to pay for the lives and the resources they’ve stole and we’re here to collect.”
Protesters drew a connection with the violence they see at home and violence perpetrated abroad. The global nature of the IACP conference is not lost on us,” the activists said. “We know that American police officers train with defense agents occuping other lands here Black Palestinians and African migrants experience double oppression.”
Statement from BYP100 Regarding #STOPTHECOPS Actions happening NOW: https://t.co/SyM9sOEykZ #FundBlackFutures
— Ida's Disciple (@prisonculture) October 24, 2015
The statement was signed by Black Youth Project 100, Assata’s Daughters, We Charge Genocide and Organized Communities Against Deportation.
President Barack Obama will be addressing the police association on Tuesday. Around 16,000 members of law enforcement are expected to attend.
