Chicago protestors highlight concerns over police reform 5 years after George Floyd’s death

CHICAGO (WGN) — Sunday marked the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer and dozens gathered at Federal Plaza in Chicago for a protest.

Five years ago, millions took to the streets around the country and around the world, protesting Floyd’s death.

Sunday’s protest, organized by the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR), claims there has been a lack of significant reform in the years since and claims things are regressing under the Trump administration.

“The Dems had the Senate and the House of Representatives, and they failed to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would essentially call for community control of the police, so yeah, it’s a complete failure,” protestor Rania Salem said.

Protestors on Sunday also focused firmly on what’s happening in Washington with President Donald Trump at the helm.

“We are out here saying, ‘We won’t go back.’ We are not afraid of Donald Trump, we’ll continue to fight back,” Frank Chapman, Executive Director of CAARPR, said.

On Wednesday, the Trump administration moved to cancel settlements with Minneapolis and Louisville that called for an overhaul of their police departments following Floyd’s murder and the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor by police in Louisville on March 13, 2020.

The rally specifically targeted an executive order to empower law enforcement nationwide.

It aims to strength and expand legal protections for officers, seeks to enhance sentences for crimes against police, and promotes investment in security and capacity of prisons.

“What he’s doing is he is reversing all that. Taking the gains we’ve got given with a teaspoon, he’s taking it back with a shovel,” Chapman said.

“Repression has increased on all fronts. It’s important we continue to mobilize and fight against all these injustices that are happening,” Salem said.

Protestors added that even those who don’t feel under attack personally right now will eventually feel a trickle-down effect.

“It’s going to be me and you one of these days if we don’t fight back,” protestor Gregory Schalliol said.