CHICAGO (AP) - Black people made up 75% of those arrested in Chicago for alleged violations of a curfew imposed during demonstrations following George Floyd’s death, according to a newspaper report Sunday.
The Chicago Sun-Times analyzed data, obtained through an information request, for the first five days of a curfew imposed May 30 and lifted June 7. The newspaper found 329 of the 440 people arrested were identified as African American.
The racial disparity in Chicago, where black people are roughly 30% of the population, drew criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois.
Colleen Connell, the group’s executive director, called it “infuriating” considering “the catalyst” for the and the long history of discriminatory treatment of black people in Chicago.
“The curfew basically gave the Chicago Police Department carte blanche to continue over-policing people of color,” Connell said.
Police spokesman Thomas Ahern said the department’s curfew enforcement “was universal, regardless of race or neighborhood.” He said “any enforcement was undertaken for the protection and safety of all residents.”
Floyd, a black man who was handcuffed, died after a white officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air. Floyd’s death sparked demonstrations against police brutality and racism worldwide.
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