MOUNT GREENWOOD — An online petition under the heading "Mt. Greenwood Supports Blue Lives Matter" had 1,696 signatures as of Thursday morning and asks signees to "reject racism and any racist or hateful comments that were made at recent rallies."
The petition launched Tuesday is aimed at residents of Mount Greenwood and Beverly as well as supporters of Blue Lives Matter, a group that frequently gathers to show support for police.
All three of these groups have been present, along with black activists, at demonstrations this month near 111th Street and Kedzie Avenue in Mount Greenwood. Both sides have taken to the streets after the fatal Nov. 5 police shooting of a 25-year-old black man nearby.
Several activists said they encountered '60s-style racism — including racial slurs — as they marched demanding, "Justice for Joshua Beal."
Counterprotesters say they were standing up for their neighborhood and voicing support for police with chants of "CPD, CPD, CPD."
The petition disavows any racist comments made toward black activists and defends others in the crowd who participated with a more civil discourse.
"This entire community should not be held accountable for the hateful and racist speech by a very small minority of individuals who do not represent the values of our community," the petition says.
But the petition also says activists provoked the crowd — many who live in the community that's the home of many police officers, firefighters and other City of Chicago workers. The petition points to the disrespectful use of the America flag and offensive chants, including cries of "CPD, KKK. How many kids have you killed today?'"
"We reject the hateful speech and rhetoric directed at the hardworking officers that live in this community. We call on the media to report equally the hateful and insulting speech directed at our community by protesters and to not label our entire community as racist due to the words and actions of a few," the petition states.
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