U.S : #BYE ANITA

Dear friend,

One week from today, Chicago voters can oust of one of the worst prosecutors in America. For two terms, Anita Alvarez has held the position of Cook County State’s Attorney, maintaining a record of misconduct and over-prosecuting Black communities, leading to numerous wrongful convictions.

Anita waited more than a year to release the video of a cop fatally shooting 17-year old Laquan McDonald¹ -- a decision that she defended saying, “I didn’t think any mistakes were made”.² It took a judge’s ruling to release the video, after it was determined city officials could no longer withhold it from the public.

Anita let the police officer who murdered Rekia Boyd walk free. She’s been accused of deliberately setting up the prosecution to fail, leading the killer cop to be dismissed of all charges.³

This week, as Chicago voters head to the polls leading up to next Tuesday’s primary election, Color of Change is joining with allies to uplift the efforts by activists in Chicago. We created a tool that allows anyone to play a role in this critical election both online and offline. With your help, we’ll ensure the message on the ground reaches the national stage.

Join the #ByeAnita movement, a grassroots effort confronting Alvarez begun by grassroots organizers in Chicago. We'll share breaking updates and opportunities to get involved between now and the election.

Image courtesy of alvarezmustgo.wordpress.com

We know our efforts are working -- Anita recently lost the backing of the Democratic Party who publicly endorsed her opponent Kim Foxx, a Chicago native and advocate for criminal justice reform.⁴ 

It's time to hold the system accountable by denying to one of its strongest defenders the opportunity to repeat the harm done to too many Chicago families and communities, specifically, Black families and communities due to a lack of accountability and oversight of the Chicago Police Department.

  

Support organizers in Chicago working to oust Anita Alvarez. Join the #ByeAnita movement now!

Peace,

Scott, Rashad, Arisha, Enchanta and the rest of the ColorOfChange team.

P.S. I love it when our community comes together during moments like this. Since we’re less than a week out, will you volunteer a few minutes to make some calls to Chicago voters remind them to vote in this important election? Click here to get started.

References:

1. “The horrifying behavior of Anita Alvarez, Chicago's head prosecutor” DailyKos, 11-24-2015.  http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5945?t=6&akid=5470.1942551.6XlwKY

2. “Anita Alvarez Denies Mistakes Were Made In Laquan McDonald Investigation” ThinkProgress, 2-5-2016.http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5816?t=8&akid=5470.1942551.6XlwKY

3. “Alvarez accused of deliberately filing wrong charge against police detective” Chicago Sun Times, 2-2015.http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5946?t=10&akid=5470.1942551.6XlwKY

4. “Endorsement could enhance Foxx's name recognition in state's attorney bid” Chicago Tribune, 1-14-2016.http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5948?t=12&akid=5470.1942551.6XlwKY

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ColorOfChange is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Help keep our movement strong.