CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor Lightfoot joined CPD and CDPH on Tuesday morning to provide an update to the city after numerous days of protest, following the death of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis.
Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown shared observations he saw while out in the field Monday. He said he saw some peacefully protests and some looting and rock throwing at officers protecting a retail area on the South Side.
"On the South Side, there was a retail store that was looted several times. Looters had come back for another round of looting and our officers were there...Rocks were being thrown at our officers They were being pelted. They stood their in line with their composure and professionalism. And then they started receiving insults, name calling at our officers in their face, shouting, screaming," Brown said.
"One of the protesters that was insulting our officers then recognized me and started insulting me, began calling me, 'Superintendent Brown you're an Oreo,' which is a very insulting term to a black person in this country. Kept saying it, 'you're an Oreo, you're an Oreo, you're an Oreo.' And I think to myself, man you have great intelligence, because I love Oreo cookies, and I said that to say this - not to make you laugh - there is no insult you can hurl at our police officers, including myself, that will make us less professional, less ethical, that will make us do something that would embarrass this city. No insult. And there is no assault you can meet our towards us - you were throwing rocks and our officers stood their professional.
"So if you want to insult me, go right ahead. I am a black man, who is very comfortable in his own skin," Brown said. "And I have been black a long time."
Another observation Superintendent Brown shared - there was an "interesting" exchange with one of our officers who was on the protest line.
"I visited him and his family, to console them and encourage them, and the officer said, 'as soon as this is over, come by the house and we will have a couple of drinks together.' I told him...thank you so much for your bravery and courage during this uncertain time," Brown said.
"I want to continue to commend our Chicago Police officers. You have made this city so proud, working tirelessly, risking your safety to protect persons and property in this fine city."
"They peacefully protest, and then they end the protest while, all at the same time, factions of peaceful protest are in the crowd are ready to loot as soon as peaceful protests end or walk back. And then our officers have to both navigate First Amendment sacred rights while, at the same time, no tolerance for looting. We have to move our resources, in split second moments...
"My thoughts: we need your help in rebuilding. We need your help supporting businesses, boarding up their windows. We need your help with rumors on social media that fuel some of the divisiveness in our city. That have fueled some of the rioters anxiety about what happened, whether or not we are bringing in the National Guard to arrest them, who have no training in use of force in our city. This is fueling more and more anxiety, more and more anger. We need your help. I know this is a big ask, but the best thing you can help us with: Stay off social media. Don't buy into the rumors. Help us deal in reality and facts as it relates to what's happening on the ground," Brown said.
"Here's the last takeaway that I will give. I was in the South Side, heading back across town to the DOC to get an update and I saw a black business owner with a sign that just said, 'I love you,' with a heart. And he was blaring some music that I can barely make out, but it reminded me of 1970's R&B, so I had to pull over. So I told my time, let me pull over and interact with him. We got a chance to speak briefly. He was playing Marvin Gaye 'What's Going On.' He was a young man, and I said, 'man your parents must have raised you right.' And he began talking about the looting, and how he was standing there with a sign that said I love you, so that he can put forth a positive message to those who would protest, who would loot. He invited me to come back. He has an art studio, and my daughter is an artist. I said let me bring my daughter back for one of your classes. And I walked away hearing the last parts of the song: What's going on? Only love can conquer hate. Brother Marvin said at the end of that song. Google 'What's Going On' by Marvin Gaye young people, and let me know what's going on," Brown said.