This is a copy of a post I submitted on the Second City Cop blog...
It seems I must chime in to provide clarity for those who may be misinformed as to my words, actions or intent.
On September 1st, I was a guest on the Jim Laski Show on WGN Radio. The content of my participation on that show is available via podcast for anyone that cares to listen to what I "actually" said.
I stated that the Fraternal Order of Police announced that they were calling for a march of the membership at CPD HQ on Wednesday, September 15th @ 10 am.
I also stated that the people of Chicago needed to make a decision. If they were not happy with public safety in Chicago, I suggested that while the FOP marched on 35th Street... 50,000 citizens should be marching simultaneously at Chicago City Hall.
My thought process was... if we can get a million people to come downtown to celebrate a Stanley Cup, could we get at least a fraction of that number to demonstrate against inadequate public safety in Chicago?
In the end, it is the citizens of this city that must mandate the change that is so needed today at CPD.
As Chicago police officers, we too, are citizens of this city. Our voices are equally as important - but should not be the only voices heard.
To be clear... It never was my intent to interfere with the activity or actions of organized labor (police union).
My call for citizens to march at City Hall was to be in tandem (support) of the efforts that the FOP announced.
While I did call for citizens to get involved and march at City Hall in tandem with the police march at HQ, I am certainly not sponsoring or organizing any march there. That will have to be done by the good people of Chicago, if it is done at all.
With that said, I will be at City Hall at 10 am Wednesday to meet with any citizens that choose to answer the call and involve themselves through active participation and protest. I hope they bring signs, loud voices and everyone they know. I am only a messenger with a single voice and have no signs.
From there, I will proceed to 35th Street to march with the honorable members of the CPD, as I did at the last march called by the FOP.
(I hope someone saves a sign for me.)
It is my personal opinion that police officers must stand united as one. That means (for better or worse) marching at CPD HQ.
The members of CPD are "all in" when it comes to putting skin in the game, by virtue of their employment as law enforcers.
It is time for citizens to start putting skin in the game by actively voicing their concerns in numbers and getting the attention of the Mayor and the Aldermen.
We will keep fighting the good fight together until positive change arrives.
God bless the honorable members of the CPD. I will see you on Wednesday at HQ.
Work safe!
John Andrews
9/13/2010 07:50:13 PM
Highway Road Runner
Riding the Dragon - US Hwy 129
