Community Forum on Advancing Policy and Community Accountability on December 9

The Chicago Urban League is hosting a community forum, "Truth and Justice for All: Advancing Police and Community Accountability," that will examine the need for improved policing practices by the Chicago Police Department (CPD) following the death of Laquan McDonald. The Chicago Urban League (CUL) brings together a panel of the nation’s leading voices on social justice and legal issues for a critical discussion on how to reform the CPD and why reform is necessary. Community members will have the opportunity to verbalize their growing frustrations and recommend ways to improve relations between their neighborhoods and the CPD.    

Confirmed  Panelists:

Lorenzo Davis, former Chicago Police Department investigator 

Craig Futterman, Clinical Professor of Law, The University of Chicago, and Founder, Civil Rights Accountability Project  

Jamie Kalven, The Invisible Institute 

Trina Reynolds, Black Youth Project 100

Shari Runner, Interim President & CEO, Chicago Urban League

Paul Strauss, Co-Director of Litigation for the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Director of the CLC’s Employment Opportunities Project

Rufus Williams, President and CEO of BBF Family Services

*Representatives from Mayor Emanuel’s office have also been invited to participate

Moderator: Dometi Pongo, News Anchor, WVON 1690AM

Where:          Chicago Urban League, 4510 South Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60653

When:           Wednesday, December 9, 2015   *   6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (CST)                         

“We can no longer allow African American lives to be taken without accountability. The long-standing lack of transparency and due process has earned mistrust in law enforcement,” said Shari Runner, Interim President & CEO, CUL. “This forum will allow us to begin the conversation about what we need to do to heal the police and community relationship.”

About the Chicago Urban League

Established in 1916, the Chicago Urban League works for economic, educational and social progress for African Americans and promotes strong sustainable communities through advocacy, collaboration and innovation. For more information, visit www.thechicagourbanleague.org.