Democratic lawmakers on Thursday demanded justice for 13-year-old Adam Toledo, whom Chicago police shot dead.
The calls came after the Chicago Civil Police Office (COPA) published images of the meeting.
The video raises questions about the circumstances surrounding his death, as officials previously accused Toledo of having a weapon. However, the video shows Toledo appearing to be surrendering and having nothing in his hands before police shot him in the chest.
The incident is prompting further calls for police reform, as it occurs during the ongoing assassination process against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, accused of the death of George Floyd that sparked protests throughout the world. country last summer.
It also comes as the United States faces the death of 20-year-old Daunte Wright, who was killed by police Monday at a traffic stop.
His. Dick DurbinDick DurbinSchumer warns that Democrats cannot let the GOP block an expansive agenda, Yates, who addresses a letter in support of Biden, who chooses the Civil Rights Division in the DOJ. (D-Ill.) He 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 mourn the loss of his young life.
“There are too many black and brown men and women who have lost their lives due to brutal acts of racial injustice,” he continued. “All the evidence shows that we are facing a justice system that is not being applied equally and that we need to change that.”
There are too many black and brown men and women who have lost their lives due to brutal acts of racial injustice. All the evidence shows that we are facing a justice system that is not applied equally and needs to be changed.
– Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) April 15, 2021
His. Tammy DuckworthLadda (Tammy) Tammy Duckworth Night Defense: Biden Officially Launches Afghanistan Withdrawal Plan | Probe finds problems with the use of DC Guard helicopters during the June protests. Biden touched Erika Moritsugu as new Asian American and Pacific island liaison Duckworth calls on DOJ to investigate ‘shamelessly violent’ police treatment of National Guard officer (D-Ill.) He also expressed his condolences and added: “No father should ever lose a child like that and no child’s life should end like this. Always.”
“If we want to be truly the land of the free, every American must feel safe, he must be able to live,” he said.
My deepest condolences to the family of Adam Toledo. No parent should ever have to lose a child like that and no child’s life should end like this.
Always.
If we really want to be the Land of the Free, every American must feel safe, he must be able to live.
– Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) April 15, 2021
Several House representatives also demanded justice for Toledo.
Rep. Brad SchneiderBradley (Brad) Scott Schneider Democrats See Opportunity in GOP Dispute with Business Democrats Have Growing Tax Problem with SALT Looking Closer to the Future of Our Nation’s Supply Chains (D-Ill.) He described Toledo’s death as “a tragedy for his family and our community.”
“We, as a society, failed him. We can’t recover Adam, but we can strive for a world where no 13-year-old has such a tragic end, ”he said.
As the Toledo family said, we are all saddened by Adam’s death and watching the video closes our core. Let us join the family to peacefully express our pain.
– Representative Brad Schneider (@RepSchneider) April 15, 2021
Representative Marie Newman (D-Ill.) Said: “Reform alone cannot solve this. Citizen security MUST be about funding housing, schools and much more than just the police alone.”
“The current system failed Adam,” he said.
He was 13 years old.
My heart is with the Toledo family and with our communities of color who face racial injustice every day.
Reform alone cannot fix it. Citizen security MUST be about financing housing, schools and more than just the police.
The current system failed Adam.
– Congresswoman Marie Newman (@RepMarieNewman) April 15, 2021
In the video, an officer can be seen chasing Toledo down an alley as he shouted, “Stop right now” before stopping in a large gap in the wooden fences.
The officer asks to see Toledo’s hands and the teen slowly turns to the officer with both hands in clear surrender.
The officer yells “drop it” twice before shooting Toledo in the chest, although no weapon is clearly visible in his hand. There are also no visible weapons when other officers arrive and begin administering CPR.
Rep. Karen BassKaren Ruth Bass: The shocking murder renews tensions for the police. 10 Democrats joined the NAACP lawsuit against Trump. (D-California), which sponsored the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which the House passed last month, said Adam Toledo was 13 years old. Those responsible for eliminating the rest of his life must be responsible.
Adam Toledo was 13 years old.
Those responsible for taking away the rest of his life should be held accountable.
We need to get George Floyd’s Police Justice Act signed into law.
– Congressmember Bass (@RepKarenBass) April 15, 2021
Rep. Ro KhannaRohit (Ro) Khanna Night Defense: Biden makes his decision in Afghanistan to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan before 9/11. Biden’s defense budget criticized by Republicans, progressives alike MORE (D-California) said the US should establish that force should only be used as a last resort.
“Adam Toledo was 13 years old. His hands were raised. He was unarmed, “he said. “This material is heartbreaking for any parent. Like other great democracies, we must adopt a rule that force can only be used as a last resort.
Adam Toledo was 13 years old.
His hands were raised. He was unarmed.
This material is heartbreaking for any parent. Like other great democracies, we must adopt a rule that force can only be used as a last resort.
– Ro Khanna (oRoKhanna) April 15, 2021