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Why No #BlackLivesMatter Riots in Chicago? CPD Official Praises Protesters

By Kelly Bauer | September 18, 2015 6:33am
 Activists at a pre-Police Board rally for Rekia Boyd.
Activists at a pre-Police Board rally for Rekia Boyd.
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DNAinfo/Kelly Bauer

CHICAGO — The city's No. 2 police official complimented anti-police violence activists at a Thursday Police Board meeting — but the activists weren't exactly taken with him.

Alfonza Wysinger, Chicago Police first deputy superintendent, told a crowd at the meeting that he has been asked why Chicago has not seen protests and riots like those in Baltimore and Ferguson, Mo., after black people were the victims of police violence.

"Our protesters are eloquent," Wysinger said. "Our protesters are intelligent. And they don't react the way they do in other cities."

The comments elicited laughter from the crowd, as some told him to "get to the point" and accused him of "stalling." Others later took to the podium to express frustration with police and the Police Board.

The meeting, the first since the Independent Police Review Authority recommended Office Dante Servin be fired, was packed with anti-police-violence activists, including some wearing shirts that said, "Fire Officer Dante Servin." Servin shot and killed unarmed black woman Rekia Boyd in 2012.

Last month's Police Board meeting ended early after activists took control of the room, with attendees chanting and declaring the Police Board "illegitimate." The Police Board tried to speak over the activists but eventually gave up and cut short the meeting.

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