NYTimes OpEd calls for Resignation of Rahm, Chicago police chief and States Attorney [View all]

[mucifer]

Last edited Tue Dec 1, 2015, 09:16 AM - Edit history (1)

THERE’S been a cover-up in Chicago. The city’s leaders have now brought charges against a police officer, Jason Van Dyke, for the first-degree murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. But for more than a year, Chicago officials delayed the criminal process, and might well have postponed prosecution indefinitely, had it not been for a state court forcing their hand.

Then up for re-election, the mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, was looking ahead to a contested election on Feb. 24, 2015, which would ultimately result in a runoff election on April 7. In Ferguson, Mo., a grand jury was hearing testimony on the police shooting of Michael Brown. The video of Eric Garner being choked to death during an arrest in New York had gone viral. The Black Lives Matter movement was gaining momentum across the country.

The video of a police shooting like this in Chicago could have buried Mr. Emanuel’s chances for re-election. And it would likely have ended the career of the police superintendent, Garry F. McCarthy.

Rather than hold hearings, investigate and perhaps prosecute its leaders, the city of Chicago needs to restore trust. These officials no longer have the public’s confidence. They should resign.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/30/opinion/cover-up-in-chicago.html?ref=opinion


The author of the Op Ed: Bernard E. Harcourt, a professor at Columbia, was a professor of law and political science at the University of Chicago from 2003 to 2014. He is the author, most recently, of “Exposed: Desire and Disobedience in the Digital Age.”

I'd rather see them in prison. But, I'm glad this is in the NYTImes.