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Dear John,
On January 6, 2021, the U.S. Capitol was stormed by white supremacists—incited by Trump and his allies— in an attempt to violently overturn the results of the election.
It left at least five people dead and threatened the lives of members of Congress, top government officials, Capitol police officers, and all Capitol employees. Rioters armed with guns, mace, handcuffs, and tactical gear entered the Capitol, looted offices, and almost reached areas where members of Congress and others were hiding.
Meanwhile, the president of Chicago’s FOP, John Catanzara, is defending the rioters. He’s come out in support of their violent actions justifying and normalizing their attack on the Capitol and downplaying the threat they posed. It’s dangerous and needs to be stopped.
That’s why we’re calling on Chicago’s top officials: Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Police Board to fire Catanzara NOW.
Just last month Catanzara was placed under investigative review. He is now facing possible firing over racist and offensive posts on social media that read, “savages they all deserve a bullet,” when referring to Muslim people.1 Along with these comments, he’s also posted similarly bigoted remarks about women, “liberals,” and about former First Lady Michelle Obama.2 The Police Board is still considering whether or not to fire Catanzara over these atrocious remarks -- this is a board composed of civilians who are appointed by Mayor Lightfoot.3 The Police Board has the power to fire Catanzara at any point.
Mayor Lightfoot has made several public statements in opposition to Catanzara’s comments. In a recent tweet, she called on him to resign and pushed back against the FOP’s attempt to walk-back Catanzara’s defense of the attack on the U.S. Capitol.4 But this isn’t enough. Mayor Lightfoot has the power to put pressure on the Police Board to ensure Catanzara is stripped of his title, and no longer at the helm of the police union.
Sign the petition. Tell Mayor Lightfoot and the Chicago Police Board #CatanzaraMustGo.
When law enforcement signals to right-wing militias and white supremacists that they’re on the same side, it encourages more serious acts of violence and sends the message that they may get away with it. Last year, we saw how dangerous statements from police union leaders escalated violence in Kenosha, Portland, and elsewhere, with tragic results.
This week, we’ve seen it play out first hand. A man in Chicago Heights, IL is threatening the safety of members of Congress, in addition to President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris. He left several disturbing voicemails, where he’s quoted in a complaint as saying "we will kill any motherfucking Democrat that steps on the motherfucking lawn." 5 Even though he’s been arrested and charged with transmitting a threat, we know he’s just one of many white supremacists who feel emboldened to act out. Make no mistake, Catanzara is fueling the actions of people like this man in Chicago Heights. Chicago officials must intervene now to ensure Catanzara is no longer in power.
Here’s what Catanzara said about the white supremacist attack on the U.S. Capitol:6
- “Do I support [the Capitol attack]? I wouldn’t have partaken in it. They’re individuals. They get to do what they want. Again, they were voicing frustration. They’re entitled to voice their frustration.”
- “They clearly have been ignored and they’re still being ignored as if they’re lunatics and treasonous now, which is beyond stupid.”
- “Do I support the frustration? Listen, I don’t have any doubt that something shady happened in this election. You’re not going to convince me that that many people voted for Joe Biden. Never for the rest of my life will you ever convince me of that.”
- “If the worst crime [at the Capitol] is trespassing, so be it.”
- “it’s an inconvenience at this point, is all it is.”
After Catanzara made these statements, it was reported that a Capitol Police officer died as a result of the riot.
The longer Catanzara remains in power, serving as the mouthpiece for 12,000 Chicago police officers, the more these pro-Trump white supremacists will feel empowered in their violent actions — in Illinois, in D.C., and across the country
Sign the petition. Demand Cantazara is fired immediately.
Until justice is real,
--Scott, Rashad, Arisha, Erika, Malachi, Megan, Ernie, Madison, Ariel, Trevor, Ericka, Ana, McKayla, and the rest of the Color Of Change team
References:
- "Controversial president of Chicago police union faces possible firing over inflammatory posts on social media." Chicago Tribune. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/292197?t=6&akid=48976%2E4731121%2ECIecTM
- Ibid.
- Chicago Police Board. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/292198?t=8&akid=48976%2E4731121%2ECIecTM
- "How Police Unions Responded to the Assault on the Capitol." Mother Jones. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/292199?t=12&akid=48976%2E4731121%2ECIecTM
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