Lawmakers demand justice for Adam Toledo: 'His hands were up. He was unarmed.'
From THEHILL.COM
Democratic lawmakers on Thursday demanded justice for 13-year-old Adam Toledo, whom Chicago police fatally shot.
The calls came after the Chicago Civilian Office of Police Accountably (COPA) released footage of the encounter.
The video raises questions about the circumstances surrounding his death, as officials previously accused Toledo of having a gun. However, the video shows Toledo appearing to surrender and have nothing in his hands before police shot him in the chest.
The incident is raising fresh calls for police reform, as it comes during the ongoing murder trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged in the death of George Floyd that sparked nationwide protests last summer.
It also comes as the U.S. grapples with the death of 20-year-old Daunte Wright, whom police killed at a traffic stop Monday.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said on Twitter: “Adam Toledo was a seventh grader at Gary Elementary School in Little Village. His whole life was ahead of him. My heart breaks for his family and friends, who are grieving the loss of his young life.”
“Far too many Black and Brown men and women have lost their lives to brutal acts of racial injustice," he continued. "All the evidence shows that we are dealing with a system of justice that isn’t being applied equally—and we need to change that."
Far too many Black and Brown men and women have lost their lives to brutal acts of racial injustice. All the evidence shows that we are dealing with a system of justice that isn’t being applied equally—and we need to change that.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) April 15, 2021
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) also expressed her condolences, adding “No parent should ever have to lose a child like that and no child's life should end like that. Ever.”
“If we're to truly be the Land of the Free, every single American must feel safe, must be able to live,” she said.
My deepest condolences go out to Adam Toledo's family. No parent should ever have to lose a child like that and no child's life should end like that.Ever.If we're to truly be the Land of the Free, every single American must feel safe, must be able to live.
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) April 15, 2021
Several House representatives also demanded justice for Toledo.
Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) called Toledo’s death “a tragedy for his family and our community.”
“We, as a society, failed him. We can’t bring ... (Read more)
Tweets mentioned:
https://twitter.com/SenatorDurbin/status/1382810981622022145
https://twitter.com/SenDuckworth/status/1382841688041873409
https://twitter.com/RepSchneider/status/1382832591556972547
https://twitter.com/RepMarieNewman/status/1382827338509979649
Submitted 1099 days ago
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