csua.org/u/mvg -> www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/11/some-mayhem-arrests-after-obama-rally.html
Comments At least five people were arrested across the city after Barack Obama's rally in Grant Park, including a woman who slapped a Chicago police officer, saying police couldn't arrest her anymore, prosecutors said today. Most of the others celebrated the historic occasion with gunfire. Celita Hart, 19, stood silently in court today when she appeared for a bond hearing.
The incident occurred after police responded to a crowd of people celebrating Obama's win on the corner of 69th Street and Western Avenue. Hart, of the 7100 block of South Rockwell Street, was charged with aggravated battery of a police officer and was ordered her held in lieu of $10,000 bail. Others who appeared before Circuit Judge Israel Desierto included Andre Murph, 37, of Aurora, who was arrested after police saw him shooting a handgun into the ground on the Southwest Side. Scaduto said he told the officers he was "shooting to celebrate Obama as president." Narada Thomas, 23, of the 1200 North Central Avenue, allegedly gave a similar explanation after he was arrested with a handgun near his home. "He said he had the gun because he wanted to celebrate Obama becoming the first black president," Scaduto said. Kenneth Smith, 24, of the 6700 block of South Ada Street, was arrested after he allegedly fired a handgun outside his home. Smith, who is on parole for a previous weapons conviction, told authorities that "the police only arrested him because a black man won for president," Scaduto said. Robert Morgan, 54, of the 5700 South Lowe Avenue, appeared to have simply been caught up in the excitement.
November 5, 2008 6:36 PM "Most of the others celebrated the historic occasion with gunfire." A better way would have been the city was besieged by random senseless gunfire. I can't ever recall similar scenes after any other election in recent history. Also the above reporting of the evenings events was completely downplayed. The reason more people weren't arrested was because the officers were discouraged by their commanding officers because that would have angered the crowd and most likely created more violence.
November 6, 2008 9:44 AM I heard that people were shooting after the election and I am so embarressed. I grew up in these areas and I know how my people can get. I even heard that the police had to block a shopping area from being looted on the West Side for the city. However, I thought this was a time for my African American men and children to realize that anything is possible, but you have to earn it and work at it. He did not steal it, it was not handed down to him by his family, and he did not belittle anyone to get it. He had to work harder than any other presidential candidate because he is black and he did it. He educated himself, surrounded himself with the right people, and GOT INVOLVED. Black people need to understand that this does not mean that we can do anything "illegal" that we want to. This mean that we can do things to make a better life for us, our families, and our communities. This is just showing other races that we are as ignorant and stupid as they expect us to be. White people are not keeping us down, we are keeping us down. Obama is not going to come and get you out of jail for stupidity. I do not see this as a significant advancement for black people. I see this as a significant advancement for the average american. His family had to sacrifice to make a better life for him and get him into the best schools. He lived with the minimum necessities at the beginning of his career because he was not making that much money. He understand the basics that the average amercican needs: education, healthcare, their homes, and retirement.
November 6, 2008 10:16 AM Stray rounds from firearms can KILL innocent people. Hopefully, having Obama as president will set and example and promote personal responsibility among the people who are doing such stupid things.
Is the election of a black man to the highest position in the WORLD going to inspire those in the African American community who sit around on their thumbs and do nothing to make an effort to do well in school, stay out of trouble, and go on to be productive members of society or are they now just going to think that because Obama is president it will be handed to them on a silver platter? In asking this question, I am not implying that ALL African Americans sit around on their thumbs. My neighbors are black and they are quite successful and affluent (much more than I). They studied hard in school, achieved higher levels of education and they live well because of it. But, there is a depressingly large percentage of the black community that does not. There is the perception by some of the young people in that community who see achieving as selling out their heritage. WIll all young black people now be inspired to work to reach their full potential? Or will they expect a free pass because of the color of their skin?
November 6, 2008 2:14 PM I also want to support Stephanie's view point. I've gotten out, kicked some tail, and am making a decent income for it. I made that choice, and no one gave me a nickel without charging me 6% interest on it. Here's everyone's chance to prove they're an asset instead of an ass, and they want to make something of themselves given the right resources.
November 6, 2008 3:03 PM I happen to live in brooklyn in a mostly black neighborhood and when the news came out the Obama won the amount of gunfire that went off was astonishing. Sad to say that there are a lot of black folk that believe that now that Obama won he is going to pay their bills and that they can get away with more crime. In a way he took a step forward for America but it was a step backwards for the black community.
|
http://csua.com/feed/