I began my August story and stand for justice, in this very city of Waukegan where I initially met Jacob Blake 10 years ago, before he was 20 years old. About a year later, he introduced me to his firstborn son one of the times he stopped at the Black Abolition Movement for the Mind 801 McAlister Ave. location as we chatted.
I took notice that he was a rather intelligent and bright young brother with a lot to say considering his age. And like most youth, still in need of further guidance, motivation and inspiration, in which I’m always more than willing to offer.
Considering the police shooting last month of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, and the many occurrences of police negligence throughout Lake County over the years, there is more than enough room for improvement in the Waukegan Police Department to urge support of justice right here at home without traveling.
In fact, one day before the Jacob Blake shooting, I received a text regarding a late-night protest calling for defunding $30,000 to purchase police riot gear and another $378,000 to renovate the Waukegan Police Department headquarters. I would also include the senseless waste of tax payers money being spent simultaneously with Daniels, Long & Pinsel, Waukegan Corporate counsel to defend the city as they violated the rights of the people by failing to follow the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, according to the Illinois Attorney General.
The city denied Waukegan citizens their right to view police bodycam footage, at the directions and guidance of Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim after the In-custody death of Avion Cotton. After Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul ruled the city’s refusal was a violation of the law, the footage was finally released in January. The city should be fighting on behalf of its citizens to preserve and protect such rights.
The night after Blake was shot in the back seven times in nearby Kenosha, I was informed a protest was taking place in front of the home of third ward Alderman, Gregory Moisio. Normally I consider protesting at the home of an elected official as an ultimate last resort.
Such was the case with this protest, as I have personally observed Alderman Moisio for years, during city council audience time, demand citizens to call him and not attempt to address issues with him during audience time, as a result many would later vent their frustrations of allegedly not receiving an adequate answer over the phone or simply not receiving a return phone call all together.
So, I proceeded to the protest as a few of the alderman’s neighbors came out in support and appeared to be enthused about at joining, as if they were waiting for such an opportunity.
The mayor saw it differently. “They are trying to incite riots in Waukegan. They’re trying to disrupt, not bring people together,” he said, according to an article in the News-Sun.
This is an absolute falsehood and deception on the part of the mayor.
I observed our youth and upstanding members of our community, such as a scientist and community organizers peacefully exercising their First Amendment right of protest and free speech.
Also, according to Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham, as quoted, “They are no different than a bully on the block.”
Absolutely not. Especially when comparing it to the city of Waukegan’s unsuccessful attempt to coerce or bully a statement from Avion Cotton’s grandmother to oppose not release of police bodycam footage to the public, according to the grandmother.
Or when considering the 2013 lawsuit filed by 14-year-old and 13-year-old boys who were snatched out of a basement while playing video games and taken to the Waukegan police booking room where they both were bullied, intimidated and interrogated without parents or attorneys.
Let’s not forget the Waukegan citizen who recently sued the Mayor and a Lake County Commissioner for attempting to bully and intimidate him into removing a Facebook post, with threats of the citizen losing his public housing and being jailed, according to a federal lawsuit. And the list goes on.
So, what I observed in the late-night protest was definitely not bullying on that block.
The following evening, on Aug 25, I rallied in Kenosha among other peaceful protesters before three people were shot by an Antioch 17-year-old. Two of those people died later that night.
I couldn’t help but notice the destruction from the nights before as I drove into the Wisconsin city. Buildings totally burned to the ground, city garbage and sanitation trucks burned and totally disabled. What’s to salvage from the city garbage trucks paralyzed in place, absolutely nothing.
As a Black business founder, I have invested over a quarter of a century of my life, sweat equity and sacrifice, into establishing and organizing efforts and work under one modest roof and humble location, on the southside of Waukegan as a grassroots effort., Without any federal grants, state or local government funding, just true grit, with the sheer love and support of the people, I extend a sincere thanks and, “All Power to the People.”
With such profound efforts and sacrifice, how could, and why would I ever condone or uphold looting and burning of any local (Mom & Pops) community businesses and establishments, particularly those owned by people of color.
However, there is always the unfortunate of collateral damage, in the art of war.
And as Black people in America we are under siege and at war with the evil and unrighteous of humanity in America.
So, what is the value and worth of a disabled and paralyzed city garbage truck left on the side of the street, in comparison to the flesh and blood of young father Jacob Blake, left disabled and paralyzed inside a hospital bed from seven bullets fired by a city police officer of Kenosha; or the life of Laquan McDonald, Jeffrey Lewis, Aaren Gwinn, Justus Howell, Christopher Anderson, Cordale Handy and many others who were shot and sentenced without a jury by police. A garbage truck only holds and has the garbage of the city, not a family nor loved ones in a home.
Young brothers and sisters, when confronted by evil in the form of flesh, and the many instruments thereof — hatred, racism, sexism, bigotry, ignorance — always remember, most real cowards kill after you turn your back.
Therefore, there is never any need to run from, raise a gun, nor turn your backs on cowards and legitimize their creed of, “I feared for my life.”
I wish complete healing and help for Jacob Blake’s children and the mother of his children and family, all of which I was afforded the honor and opportunity to spend a couple of hours with that following Sunday of August 30.
To Jacob’s mother, father, and entire family, I wish the very best, and renewed strength through these difficult and challenging times. And a wish of full recovery, the best of help and total restoration for our young brother, Jacob Blake. Hope to see you again soon.
Hotep.
