The Associated Press reports Rev. Al Sharpton issued several recommendations to reform Chicago’s police department and was waiting for a response from Chicago’s Mayor Richard Daley or his threats against Chicago’s 2016 Summer Olympic bid will be activated.
Sharpton said if he doesn’t hear from Daley before Dec. 29 he will announce a date when he and others alleging police abuse will leave for an international tour to tell their stories of abuse, hoping to influence the International Olympic Committee (IOC) against Chicago’s bid.
Sharpton, President of the civil rights group National Action Network said, “the Olympics can be a point of leverage for people in this city that have not been able to get direct action by the city fathers”.
Among Sharpton’s recommendations are that the U.S. Justice Department take control of the city’s police force; that the city reject Daley’s choice of police superintendent J.P. Weiss because of what Sharpton called a lack of community input into his selection; and that the head of the Independent Police Review Authority be prohibited from speaking publicly about misconduct cases until agency investigations are completed.
When asked about Sharpton’s threats Daley said, “he can do that – that is part of America”.
He told WBBM Sharpton can get in line with Daley’s critics. Daley said his administration opposes any brutality whether from police or criminals, but Chicago’s Olympic bid should be above politics.
Meanwhile Darryl Seibel, spokesman for the USOC said, “the city will do a wonderful job welcoming athletes and guests from around the world. It’s not unusual for groups to try to take advantage of the interest and awareness that an Olympic opportunity creates”.
The IOC reportedly had no comment Monday.
