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Chicago State Hosts Mayoral Debate, Minus Rahm

 David Ellis Flynn (l.) , a Chicago State University political science student, and "Kwesi" Ronald Harris, director of the university's African American Male Resource Center, attended a student-led mayoral candidates forum at the university Wednesday evening.
David Ellis Flynn (l.) , a Chicago State University political science student, and "Kwesi" Ronald Harris, director of the university's African American Male Resource Center, attended a student-led mayoral candidates forum at the university Wednesday evening.
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DNAinfo/Andrea V. Watson

ROSELAND — Four mayoral candidates participated in a forum Wednesday evening hosted by Chicago State University students.

The debate in Chicago State’s library auditorium, 9501 S. King Drive, was sponsored by the school’s African American Studies program, the Coalition of African American Leaders, the Black Youth Project and the Young and Powerful Group.

The candidates — Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Willie Wilson, William “Dock” Walls and Bob Fioretti — answered questions from students on topics including crime and affordable education.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel was invited to the debate, but declined, said Kelly Harris, the coordinator for the university’s African American Studies department.

 Willie Wilson (from l.), Bob Fioretti, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and William “Dock” Walls participated in a Chicago State University's student-led mayoral forum Wednesday evening.
Willie Wilson (from l.), Bob Fioretti, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and William “Dock” Walls participated in a Chicago State University's student-led mayoral forum Wednesday evening.
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DNAinfo/Andrea V. Watson

“His campaign said his schedule wouldn’t allow him to participate,” Harris said. “There were a lot of people in the audience, and I think the mayor made a mistake by not coming out.”

David Ellis Flynn, 21, from the Black Youth Project, sought the candidates' opinions about police brutality and accountability.

Walls responded that the issue of police interaction with youths is of particular concern to him, "because these young people are walking around with post-traumatic syndrome."

Fioretti commented that he appreciated students' concerns about marijuana and low-level drug possession raised during the question-and-answer session.

"Kwesi" Ronald Harris, director of Chicago State’s African American Male Resource Center, said Wednesday night's event was important in helping students feel invested in the upcoming city elections.

“Not being involved in political or civic action puts you in a very vulnerable situation in that you don't have a voice," he said. "[By] coming out, they got to hear from the candidates, and they also got a chance to pose questions to the candidates.

"To me, that’s the beginning of their political education."

Ellis Flynn, a Roseland resident and political science student at Chicago State, said the interaction with candidates was a valuable learning experience.

His main observation?

They didn’t always give straight answers, he said.

“They were picking and choosing which questions they wanted to respond to and which ones they just wanted to dance around,” Flynn said, adding that after the panel, "I have an idea of who I support and who I don’t."

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