x

Society

Shocking Video Shows Chicago Cops Storming into Wrong Home

December 17, 2020

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot apologized Wednesday to a social worker whose home was wrongly raided by police officers who did not allow the woman to put on any clothes before handcuffing her. 

A civilian review board is investigating the 2019 incident at Anjanette Young's home of which Chicago's WBBM-TV obtained body camera footage. Earlier this week Lightfoot's administration went to federal court to stop the station from airing the footage, but was denied. 

Lightfoot initially tried to distance herself from the incident, saying it happened before she took office in May 2019 and blaming the Civilian Office of Police Accountability for not releasing the video earlier. COPA's investigation, which could include recommendations for disciplining officers, is ongoing.

But the disturbing video prompted wide criticism, including from Chicago aldermen who called for more hearings on the "cover-up of a wrongful police raid" and Black state legislators who called it an "act of racism, gendered violence and yet another violation of a Black woman's dignity and safety." 

In the video, officers break down Young's door and she can be repeatedly heard screaming, "You've got the wrong house!" Young said she didn't have time to dress before several officers stormed into her apartment. 

Lightfoot apologized to Young for the incident during an emotional news conference and for the attempt to block it from being aired. 

"I am deeply sorry and troubled that her home was invaded and that she had to face the humiliation and trauma that she suffered. That is just not right," Lightfoot said. "It simply should not have happened. And I will make sure that there is full accountability for what took place."

Lightfoot said concerns about officers searching the wrong homes has led to changes in search warrant protocol. She said the city would change its policies to make it easier to release body camera video in similar circumstances. 

Young obtained the video as part of her lawsuit against the city. The city had also filed a request to have Young sanctioned for allegedly violating a confidentiality order. Lightfoot said Wednesday that Young should not be punished and she is a victim. 

Young said Wednesday that she is a private person so having the video in the public sphere is difficult but necessary. 

"I want accountability," Young told reporters in Chicago. "I don't need social media followers, I don't need that type of stuff. Accountability."

RELATED

NEW YORK  — A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.

Top Stories

Columnists

A pregnant woman was driving in the HOV lane near Dallas.

General News

NEW YORK – Meropi Kyriacou, the new Principal of The Cathedral School in Manhattan, was honored as The National Herald’s Educator of the Year.

Video

Indians Vote in the First Phase of the World’s Largest Election as Modi Seeks a Third Term

NEW DELHI (AP) — Millions of Indians began voting Friday in a six-week election that's a referendum on Narendra Modi, the populist prime minister who has championed an assertive brand of Hindu nationalist politics and is seeking a rare third term as the country's leader.

NEW YORK – The iconic Greek singer Haris Alexiou appeared on a billboard at the famous ‘Crossroads of the World,’ Times Square in New York on April 18 as the face of a global campaign for equality in the music industry, Athens Voice reported.

ATHENS - The ballot paper for the upcoming European elections was presented by the leader of SYRIZA - Progressive Alliance Stefanos Kasselakis, on Friday night at the 'Hellenic Cosmos' Cultural Center.

ATHENS - The Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the upgraded port of Sigri in Lesvos as part of his tour of the island on Friday.

ASTORIA – Danae and Hellenic Aesthetic announced the launch of their collaboration ‘Dressing the Table’ on the Hellenic Aesthetic blog on April 17, noting that “the inspiration behind this project is to bring new life into our forgotten family heirlooms, like hand-embroidered tablecloths, so we can enjoy them in a modern way.

Enter your email address to subscribe

Provide your email address to subscribe. For e.g. [email protected]

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our newsletter.