Hundreds of Chicago students orchestrate school walkout and crowded protest to demand safer COVID-19 conditions, relief stipends, and laptops



Students in Chicago staged a walkout on Friday to demand safer school conditions during the surge of COVID-19 cases. The students also participated in a crowded protest where they made demands for remote learning, laptops, and COVID-19 relief stipends.

On Wednesday, the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools agreed to reopen schools with in-person classes. However, hundreds of students participated in a walkout on Friday afternoon. The district-wide walkout of at least 500 students was organized by the Chicago Public Schools Radical Youth Alliance (Chi-Rads) – a self-described "organization of allied, radical CPS high schoolers from every corner of the city to organize to create an education system that best serves us."

Curie High School students walked out of school today in favor of hybrid learning, amplifying youth voices & to hold @ChicagosMayor & @ChiPubSchools accountable.\n\n1/4pic.twitter.com/RgzRWCQ4je
— Chi Student Pandemic Response (@Chi Student Pandemic Response) 1642190161

The Chicago Public Schools Radical Youth Alliance issued a list of 39 demands for the Chicago Public Schools. The organization demanded that schools shift to remote learning for two weeks. The group called on Chicago Public Schools to increase the "remote workforce" for staff members and "students whose presence isn't necessary in the building."

The organization ordered the public school system to make accessible COVID-19 testing for all students, "sufficient N-95 masks along with the other face coverings PPE & medical grade masks."

The group requested mask and vaccine mandates, contact tracing, and no spectators at sporting events.

The students are also demanding Chicago Public Schools provide "every student with their own personal laptop," and the organization emphasizes that the laptops must have "4GB RAM & 512GB storage, and at least 8 hours of battery life."

The group said the students should be able to keep the laptops "during their entire duration as students, virtual or not." They also petitioned for "access to high speed wifi, that has at least 10 Mbps of download speed and 1 Mbps of upload speed."

The group also requests "personal tutors outside of school hours in every school."

The Chi-Rads claim, "There are many aspects of our everyday lives that hinder certain students from receiving quality education from inequitable structures and oppressive systems within the city."

To remedy the "inequitable structures and oppressive systems," the group demands the school to "reload EBT cards" and hire "one full-time therapist/psychologist for every 30 students."

The students also require COVID-19 relief stipends.

"Much like Covid Relief packages, students should receive covid relief stipends to help cover the necessities that families are going through during these times beyond food," the list of demands states. "Many families are living paycheck to paycheck and this pandemic affects people’s ability to work; that, unfortunately, affects our ability to live."

The group also said teachers should have the decision of whether they want to teach remotely or in the classroom. The students said teachers should be able to "take a leave of absence regarding concerns of Covid."

The Chicago Public Schools Radical Youth Alliance also called for "spaces of healing and community building."

a thread!!! 1/3chicago public school\u2019s radical youth alliance has come forth with a list of demands that we believe is the bare minimum of things that @ChiPubSchools leadership can implement in response to the crises we have seen in our communities.pic.twitter.com/NTnLsmSHWg
— Chi-RADS (@Chi-RADS) 1641868543

To show that they were serious about their demands for safer COVID-19 conditions, the hundreds of students participated in a crowded protest outside of the headquarters for Chicago Public Schools.

Here's Catlyn Savado, a freshman at Percy Julian High School on the Far South Side. She's an organizer with @chiradsCPS.pic.twitter.com/59drltPEhw
— The TRiiBE (@The TRiiBE) 1642189692

The students railed against Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot by chanting, "Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Lori Lightfoot’s got to go!"

Views from across the street.pic.twitter.com/RzqLsMNwTi
— The TRiiBE (@The TRiiBE) 1642190156


Video: Mob of thugs descend upon apparent Chicago bus driver, tackle him to street, repeatedly punch and stomp him



Video circulating on social media shows what appears to be a Chicago Transit Authority bus driver getting swarmed by a mob of thugs, tackled to the street, and repeatedly punched and stomped over the weekend in the popular downtown shopping area known as the Loop.

What are the details?

The clip shows the apparent driver standing outside a bus and facing one individual as a crowd gathers around them. One person is heard telling the driver he'd "better get back on that bus!"

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @Paulvallas

Suddenly the apparent driver seems to push with his left hand the individual facing him, and that individual appears to move away. Second later screams are heard and a fight breaks out.

The apparent driver has the upper hand at first, grabbing and pushing one male backward for a considerable distance.

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @Paulvallas

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @Paulvallas

But at that point a mob descends upon the apparent driver, and he has no chance as thugs tackle and then beat him.

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @Paulvallas

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @Paulvallas

At the end of the clip, a police officer appears and seems to be moving toward the attack.

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @Paulvallas

Here's the clip:

This is video of the poor CTA bus driver that was beaten last night downtown. This is SO disgusting that this is happening in Chi. @TheMagMile @ChiefDavidBrown @MaryAnnAhernNBC @AnitaPadilla32 @FoxNews @CWBChicago @WGNNews @ABC7Chicago @cbschicago @ChiCityBusiness @AmyJacobsonpic.twitter.com/EANvAwkwxF
— Paul Vallas (@Paul Vallas) 1638727702

What else do we know?

Chicago police said a 49-year-old CTA bus driver was traveling in the Loop around 9 p.m. Saturday when he heard a loud noise, WFLD-TV reported, after which the driver stopped the bus to inspect it.

While the driver was doing this, police told the station a male and female began to push the driver and then punched the driver multiple times before fleeing.

Police told WFLD the driver's face and body were bruised, and he was taken to a hospital in fair condition. The station's report does not include the video circulating on social media.

A 15-year-old male identified as a suspect in the attack was arrested in the 100 block of North Michigan Avenue and charged with one count of aggravated battery to a transit employee and disorderly conduct, police added to the station.

Fox News said police did not confirm that the video circulating on social media shows the attack on the 49-year-old bus driver. Police instead directed the cable news network to the "initial narrative" that two suspects were involved and added that the department "[does] not have any additional information," Fox News noted.

While the report on the attack from WBBM-TV doesn't include the video circulating on social media, either, it does show what appears to be a bus driver holding a cloth or towel on the side of his face and walking into an ambulance — and the victim looks similar to the apparent driver the mob attacked in the cellphone video.

Anything else?

Police told WGN-TV at least 20 juveniles were taken into custody Saturday night amid violent chaos in the Loop that forced authorities to use crowd control measures. In addition to the attack on the bus driver, a 15-year-old was shot in the arm after bumping into a man, the station said.

The next day Mayor Lori Lightfoot was asked how she plans to curb violence in the Loop moving forward, WGN said.

“We are going to take significant, swift action to quell any issues,” Lightfoot replied, according to the station. “[Saturday night] there were a large number of children that were down at Millennium Park. We followed the protocols that we put in place from the summer of 2020. When it was time for them to leave the park, we made sure they left the park without incident.”

Here's more of what Lightfoot said:

I asked @chicagosmayor about this. Thanks to @CWBChicago for the information. \n@MorningAnswer @DanProft https://twitter.com/paulvallas/status/1467556467716808709\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/oxcIXOkJAA
— Amy Jacobson (@Amy Jacobson) 1638741271

Chicago Mayor Lightfoot caught breaking own COVID mandates ... again



Chicago's left-wing Democratic mayor, Lori Lightfoot, found herself in hot water after posting a photo of herself violating her own city and state mask requirements Sunday night. Lest anyone think this was just an innocent slip-up by the Windy City mayor who has a penchant for telling her subjects how to live during the pandemic and for touting "science," this was far from being the first time Lightfoot has shown hypocrisy when it comes to her own rules:

  • Most infamous of Lightfoot's hypocritical moves was her decision in April 2020 to get a haircut after banning barbers and salons from opening during the early months of the pandemic. She defended the move by telling critics, "I'm the public face of this city." And despite photo evidence to the contrary, she claimed that somehow she and the woman who cut her hair were "practicing social distancing."
  • Her haircut appointment also appeared to violate her own stay-at-home orders, for which she said the city would "cite," "arrest," and jail violators. The mayor's crackdown on stay-at-home scofflaws also appears to fly in the face of her own administration's lack of crackdowns on violent crime — much of which she has actually blamed on guns.
  • Lightfoot repeatedly warned against gathering in large crowds. She even blasted a "Reopen Illinois" rally for daring to violate Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order. But in November she defied the state's commands and joined hundreds of people in the streets of Chicago to celebrate Biden's win while not wearing a mask. The celebration came just two days after she issued a stay-at-home "advisory" and as COVID cases were spiking in the city.
  • This summer, as the Delta variant surged, Lightfoot allowed Lollapalooza to take place in her city and claimed that 90% of festival attendees showed proof of vaccination or negative tests, despite witnesses and video footage indicating that people were not actually being checked. Lightfoot allowed the festival to take place even though she had threatened only days before to impose restrictions in the city if people didn't get their act together as Chicago cases surged.

Now Lightfoot is under fire after posting a photo of herself violating the city's mask mandate during the Chicago Sky's WNBA championship victory Sunday.

As the Sky took the league title over the Phoenix Mercury in Chicago, Lightfoot was packed into Wintrust Arena with other fans for the game, Fox News reported.

After the Sky won, the mayor posted a photo to Twitter showing her celebrating the team without wearing a mask — while surrounded by scores of masked fans. Her move violated both her city mask mandates and the state's mask requirement.

"What a moment. Congrats champs!" Lightfoot wrote in the tweet accompanying the photo evidence of her masklessness.

What a moment. Congrats champs! 🎉 A first but not the last for @chicagosky. https://t.co/YdPx1A6011

— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) 1634505880.0

According to Wintrust Arena, fans are required to wear masks at all time, except when eating or drinking, Fox News said. Lightfoot was neither eating nor drinking.

The mayor's office did not respond to the outlet's request for comment.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot blames guns — not shooter — for tragic death of female police officer



Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot used the heartbreaking death of a Chicago police officer to advance her narrative that guns are one of the Windy City's biggest problems.

What is the background?

Police officer Ella French, 29, was tragically gunned down Saturday night, the first female police officer to be murdered in Chicago in more than 30 years.

French and her partner had pulled over a vehicle in Chicago's violent West Englewood neighborhood when police said at least two of the three vehicle occupants opened fire on the officers. Both officers were struck; French died from her injuries, while her partner was left fighting for his life.

Police Officer Ella FrenchEnd of Watch: August 7, 2021 We will #NeverForget the true bravery she exemplified as… https://t.co/9srpLgYsn0

— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) 1628457708.0

Police arrested all three vehicle occupants and said they recovered a firearm. The identities of the suspects were not released.

What did Lightfoot say?

After declaring Sunday a "day of mourning" for Chicago and offering her condolences to French family, Lightfoot turned to politics.

"Some say we don't do enough for the police. Others say we do too much," she began. "All of this must stop."

"We have a common enemy: it's guns & the violence they bring," she added.

Some say we don't do enough for the police. Others say we do too much. All of this must stop.

We have a common enemy: it's guns & the violence they bring.
— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) August 8, 2021

In a statement, Lightfoot said:

There are some who say that we do not do enough for the police and that we are handcuffing them from doing their jobs. There are others who say we do too much for the police, and then we never hold them accountable for what they do, particularly in Black and brown neighborhoods. All of this, I say, stop. Just stop. This constant strife is not what we need in this moment.
...
We have a common enemy. It's the guns and the gangs. Eradicating both is complex. But we cannot let the size of the challenge deter us. We have to continue striking hard blows every day.

Are guns Chicago's problem?

Lightfoot was sharply rebuked for repeating her narrative that guns — not violent criminals who use guns to commit crimes — are the problem plaguing Chicago.

Her narrative — which claims that lax gun laws in surrounding cities and states are to blame for Chicago's violence problem — has been repeatedly challenged by Chicago lawmakers who believe the mayor has not been tough on gangs.

Chicago Alderman Anthony Napolitano (R), for example, has called Lightfoot's narrative "pure nonsense" while highlighting Chicago's biggest problem: gangs.

"We have the strongest and the strictest gun laws in the state, if not the country," Napolitano said on Fox News last month, disputing Lightfoot's narrative.

"We have a people problem here in Chicago. I've been saying this for a long time, we have zero accountability for parents in the city of Chicago," the alderman explained. "Nobody is raising their kids anymore, the gangs are raising them."

Far-left Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot granting interviews only to 'black or brown journalists,' local TV news reporters say



Far-left Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is granting one-on-one interviews only to "black or brown journalists," a number of local TV news reporters said on social media Tuesday.

What are the details?

Mary Ann Ahern — a political reporter for NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV in Chicago — tweeted that Lightfoot's spokeswoman said the mayor "is granting 1 on 1 interviews — only to Black or Brown journalists."

As ⁦@chicagosmayor⁩ reaches her two year midway point as mayor, her spokeswoman says Lightfoot is granting 1 on 1 i… https://t.co/evXKfp01Ko

— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) 1621373336.0

Ahern also made reference to Lightfoot arriving at the "midway point" in her mayoral term, which Fox News said apparently signals that Ahern tried and failed to land an interview with Lightfoot.

Paris Schultz — "Chicago Tonight" co-anchor and political correspondent for WTTW-TV — reacted to Ahern's news regarding Lightfoot granting interviews only to reporters of color by tweeting that he "was told the same thing."

When George Cardenas, the city's 12th Ward alderman, piped in as well and remarked "how is that even true, be serious," Ahern tweeted back saying indeed it's true, and Heather Cherone — Chicago politics reporter for WTTW — added that "I can confirm, alderman."

With that, Cardenas remarked, "This should be corrected."

Fox News said Lightfoot's office did not immediately respond to its request for comment.

How did other folks react?

As you might imagine, an outcry ensued on social media charging Lightfoot with racism and discrimination:

  • "Can you imagine if a white mayor did this???" one commenter asked.
  • "That is only slightly racist!! But to be expected," another user said. "She is judging people based on the color of their skin and not the content of their character. What a wonderful role model! NOT! She needs to be removed immediately."
  • "So condoning the murders of the people of Chicago wasn't enough, now she admits she is racist," another commenter wrote. "What's next? Will she admit she is a terrorist Hamas supporter, too? I guess being a failed politician wasn't enough."

But not everyone agreed:

  • "So, she's doing what white majors [sic] have always done, but in reverse," one user observed. "Where's the lie/problem?"
  • "Y'all know that white people can read those interviews, too, right?" another commenter asked. "I don't understand what the issue is."
  • "Thank you Mayor Lightfoot," another user said. "Black and Brown journalist[s] will not distort you[r] words. Our communities have been underrepresented too long. I applaud your efforts for bringing equity, fairness, and celebrating the rich culture in Chicago neighborhoods."

Anything else?

Fox News noted that it's unclear when Lightfoot began limiting one-on-one interviews to journalists of color — and if the policy applies only to local reporters, given that MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle interviewed the mayor Monday.

Left-wing Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot ridiculed for video celebrating return of 'science' in anticipation of Biden presidency



Left-wing Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is getting her share of ridicule for a Twitter video she posted Thursday.

The clip was clearly an attempt at humor — but it was a dud for a number of watchers turned off by the not-so-subtle dig at President Donald Trump as votes from last week's election favor former Vice President Joe Biden for the presidency.

What are the details?

The video starts with Lightfoot asleep on a couch, apparently having a bad dream. As the screen changes from black and white to color, Lightfoot suddenly awakens and figures out what's what:

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @chicagosmayor

Pressing her hand to her forehead as a copy of "Stephen Hawking's Universe" sits face-down on her chest, the mayor expresses relief: "Thank God! Science is back, baby!"

She then lovingly pats a globe next to her: "And the earth is round — not flat."

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @chicagosmayor

The scene then switches to a doctor or scientist working at her computer and doing her best Kamala Harris impersonation, condescendingly offering free advice: "Washing your hands does work, social distancing does matter, and wearing a face covering does help protect all of us. I do love science!"

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @chicagosmayor

Here ya go, if you dare:

The new administration's COVID-19 task force ushers in a new day for science and evidence-based policy-making. As a… https://t.co/lraljdDoer
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@Mayor Lori Lightfoot)1605049509.0

"The new administration's COVID-19 task force ushers in a new day for science and evidence-based policy-making," the accompanying text reads, presumably referring to Biden's plans. "As a city, we look forward to working together to ensure the health of all Chicagoans."

How did folks react?

Well, Lightfoot does have her fans — not a surprise considering Chicago's left-leaning politics. But others had nothing but raspberries for the Democrat.

Matt Walsh, for instance, had a good one for Lightfoot: "Now that science is back, can we stop pretending that men can get pregnant?"

And the hits just kept on coming:

  • "What in the....." one user reacted.
  • "I'm sorry but you just don't have what it takes for SNL," another commenter said. "Best of luck in your future endeavors."
  • "Seriously one of the stupidest things I've seen!" another user noted.
  • "Are you freaking kidding me," another commenter exclaimed.
  • "This is embarrassing," another user said.
  • "Hey @chicagosmayor," one observer called out, "you wanna quit doing stupid s**t like this and actually clean up your city?? There's a reason they call Chicago Chi-raq... You are despicable."

More lack of humor

Speaking of science-based coronavirus policies, Lightfoot is only too happy to ignore them when it suits her. Like when she shut down nonessential businesses such as hair salons back in the spring — and then promptly got a haircut.

Her reason? "I'm the public face of this city. I'm on national media, and I'm out in the public eye," Lightfoot said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "I'm a person who, I take my personal hygiene very seriously. As I said, I felt like I needed to have a haircut. I'm not able to do that myself, so I got a haircut. You want to talk more about that?"

And of course rather than disallowing protests in the wake of George Floyd's death — given they are large public gatherings that can quickly spread the coronavirus — Lightfoot simply urged protesters to wear face coverings, maintain social distancing, and self-isolate for 14 days. Right.

It's also worth pointing out that Lightfoot's "Science is back, baby!" video isn't the first instance of the mayor communicating like an elementary school teacher to kindergartners. In early October she dressed up as "Rona Destroyer" at a press conference to roll out Chicago's COVID-19 restrictions for Halloween. And the mayor also appointed a "Census Cowboy" earlier this year to boost census participation, and in September he staged a protest in which he rode a horse on a Chicago highway until the bleeding animal collapsed.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot dresses up as 'Rona Destroyer' to lay out Halloween guidelines



Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) donned a superhero costume during a Halloween-themed press conference on Thursday, dressing up as the "Rona Destroyer" to roll out the city's COVID-19 restrictions for the popular holiday.

What are the details?

Before speaking, Lightfoot stood before the lectern with fellow coronavirus-fighting fictional superhero Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, and the two flexed their muscles to pose before the cameras while carrying pails full of candy. The mayor wore a cape that read "Rona Destroyer" as she handed out goodies to members of the press pool.

The mayor announced that trick-or-treating would be allowed but that people "are asked to stay on the move in groups of six people or fewer, avoid sticking their hand into candy bowls and wait until they get home and wash their hands to eat candy," the Chicago Tribune reported.

Participants are also required to wear masks, and folks handing out candy are encouraged to provide hand sanitizer and practice social distancing rules. House parties of any size and haunted houses are prohibited.

A few weeks ago, the CDC issued guidance to the American public that trick-or-treating is deemed a "high risk" activity, warning against the practice for 2020. But Lightfoot argued that asking kids to stay home on Halloween is not realistic.

"This year more than ever it is important to celebrate Halloween safely and responsibly," she said.

Anything else?

Lightfoot was hit with some jabs on social media for her get-up, with one twitter user calling the pre-briefing escapades "literally the cringiest thing I've ever seen," and a local radio show's account tweeted the message, "These are not serious people. This is embarrassing. They are clueless. Enough already."

Chicago columnist John Kass hit out at Lightfoot's priorities, writing in reaction to the display, "Chicago murders up 50 percent this month. Who on her staff told @chicagosmayor that this was a good idea?"

Chicago murders up 50 percent this month. Who on her staff told @chicagosmayor that this was a good idea? https://t.co/fwMJuS6vmk
— John Kass (@John Kass)1601580785.0

4 police officers shot in Chicago and St. Louis, one 'fighting for his life'



Four police officers were shot on Saturday night and early Sunday morning in two separate violent incidents in Chicago and St. Louis. One police officer is in critical condition following a shooting.

At around 6 p.m. on Saturday, St. Louis police officers responded to a gunman who barricaded himself in a home in the Tower Grove South neighborhood. The suspect allegedly started firing at two police officers.

One cop was shot in his leg, and suffered a non-life-threatening wound. The other police officer was shot in the head and "very critically" wounded, St. Louis Police Department Chief John Hayden Jr. told reporters.

"As our brave officers were trying to get him secured, other officers responded to the scene, and another one of our officers was shot in the leg," Hayden said. "Both are at area hospitals. Doctors are working feverishly to assist them."

"While they're on the scene, they hear shots, and our first officer, who is very critically injured, and when I say very critically injured, he's very critically injured, he was shot. He has a head wound. And that officer is down," Hayden said.

The St. Louis Police said the officer is "fighting for his life."

Hayden said both of the injured officers are about 29-years-old, and the critically wounded cop has been on the force for approximately three years.

The suspect was taken into custody after nearly 12 hours, and witnesses say up to 100 police and SWAT officers were involved.

Hayden said there have been eight police officers shot in the line of duty since June 1.

"Our officers have been going through a lot this summer, as you know. We've had a surge in violence," Hayden said. "These officers, all they're trying to do is do their job and help a person that's wounded, and they come under gunfire themselves."

The barricaded subject from the 3700 block of Hartford has been taken into custody and the area has been rendered s… https://t.co/ccTEjQMA6V
— St. Louis, MO Police (@St. Louis, MO Police)1598783876.0

Early Sunday morning, two Chicago police officers were shot during a traffic stop. At 2:33 a.m., police officers were conducting a traffic stop of a "vehicle matching the description from a person with a gun call," according to officials.

Police allegedly spotted a handgun next to a person in the backseat of the car. The cops instructed the person to get out of the vehicle, but he refused to comply.

The officers shattered the vehicle's window to remove the man from the car. The suspect allegedly fired multiple shots at the police and struck both cops. A third officer shot back and hit the suspect.

One officer suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, side and back, according to Chicago Police Department Supt. David Brown. He was transported to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital in serious condition. The officer underwent surgery for his injuries.

The other cop was shot in the shoulder and chest and transported to the same hospital. He is reportedly in good condition.

The supervisor of the downed cops drove them to the hospital in a police vehicle.

"The quick response and thinking of their supervisors, their sergeant, likely saved precious time for their treatment," Brown said. "That really is important when you have bleeding, gunshot wounds. That time is critical to get the treatment started."

Brown said the wounded cops, who are in their early 20s and have been on the force for about two years, are members of a "summer mobile citywide team recently formed to address violent crime."

The suspect is in critical condition, but has been stabilized.

"When officers leave home, they never really know what the day holds, whether or not they'll be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice," Brown said.

CPD spokesman Tom Ahern posted a photo of the gun that was used to shoot the police.

Supt. Brown @ChiefDavidBrown and Mayor Lightfoot @chicagosmayor address concerned Officers outside Stroger ER and p… https://t.co/f4r4thIW3n
— Tom Ahern (@Tom Ahern)1598786321.0