Protest Calls for Cook County State’s Attorney’s Resignation
The Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARP) recently staged a rally to protest the final verdict in the 2011 killing case of Flint Farmer by Chicago Police Officer Gildardo Sierra. The protest, held at the George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building, 69 W. Washington last week, was part of CAARP’s Organizing Committee to Stop Police Crimes.
On June 7, 2011 Sierra discharged his weapon 16 times, hitting Farmer seven times, including three times in the back after Farmer raised his cell phone. The final three shots, which coroners would later determine were fatal, occurred after Farmer had fallen to the ground. The
fatal shots were captured on a responding officer’s squad car dash camera.
Sierra admitted to being drunk while on-duty the day Farmer was killed and stated that he feared Farmer could potentially cause him “great bodily harm.” Farmer was unarmed.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Offices Communications Department issued the following statement to the Chicago Citizen Newspaper regarding the matter.
“With regard to the tragic incident that resulted in the shooting death of Flint Farmer, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office conducted a comprehensive and objective review of the facts and the law. Although Officer Sierra was mistaken in his belief that Farmer had a gun, we have concluded that the prosecution could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer Sierra’s belief that Farmer posed a threat of great bodily harm was unreasonable. As a result of this investigation, no criminal charges will be filed in this case.”
“The reason why we’re protesting is because [Anita Alvarez] just exonerated a killer police officer,” said Frank Chapman, Chairperson of CAARP’s Organizing Committee to Stop Police Crimes.
CAARP called for several actions during the rally:
· The resignation of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, her impeachment or removal from office by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
· The formation of an elected Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC) to replace the current Police Board and Independent Police Review Authority which would theoretically allow civilians to participate in the investigations of police officer’s misconduct.
· The removal of Officer Gildardo Sierra from the Chicago Police Department.
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez had previously stated in a written letter to Chicago Police Department (CPD) Superintended Garry McCarthy saying that, “Although Officer Sierra was mistaken in his belief that Flint Farmer had a gun, not every mistake demands the action of the criminal justice system, even when the results are tragic.”
CAARP’s members protested for about an hour. The demonstration included speeches from the organization’s leadership and from Flint Farmer’s father, Emmett Farmer.
In December 2012, the City of Chicago paid out $4.1 million in a settlement of which went to Flint Farmer’s estate. The City did not however, admit any wrongdoings in regards to Officer Sierra’s actions.
“They can have the money back if they want it,” said Farmer. “I want that police officer arrested,” Emmett Farmer said. “Seeing your son shot in cold blood would rally anybody.”
According to Emmett Farmer, the settlement all went to Flint’s daughter but he would be willing to give it back if it meant Sierra would be held accountable for the killing of his son.
“He is still relieved of his police powers and detailed to an administrative assignment,” said Chicago Police Department Spokesman Adam Collins in regards to Sierra. “There is an ongoing [Independent Police Review Authority] IPRA investigation and I’d have to refer you there as we can't offer comment on such an investigation.”
The Independent Police Review Authority reviews both civil and criminal cases from an administrative stand point and works independent of the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Clerk’s Office.
Founded in Chicago in 1973, the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression was founded to mount organized action against unjust treatment of individuals because of race or political beliefs.
For more information on the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression http://www.stoppolicecrimes.com/.
Freddie McGee, got nvolved in the CAARP organization since in 2007 when his son, Freddie Latrice Wilson, was killed by a Chicago Police officer. Wilson was shot 18 times.
“I don’t have anything against CPD. There are [just] certain officers within CPD. The one’s that’s good, they back the one’s that’s bad. They look out for one another, support one another and I think that’s not fair. These are the people that we look up to. These are the people that we trust,” Freddie McGee said.
The Chicago Police Department responded to McGee’s charge saying:
“Over the past two and a half years we have led a return to community policing, and the 12,500 men and women of the Chicago Police Department work tirelessly, in close partnership with the communities they serve, to protect public safety. CPD takes any allegations of misconduct seriously. They are investigated either by our Bureau of Internal Affairs or by the Independent Police Review Authority for possible discipline, where appropriate.” - Adam Collins, Chicago Police Department Spokesman
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