Tell City Council & Mayor Lightfoot that stealing from communities won’t stop gun violence

Email City Council and Mayor Lightfoot to stop the gang asset forfeiture ordinance!

Last September, Mayor Lightfoot introduced the so-called “Victims Justice Ordinance.” This proposed law would allow the city to sue someone who it alleges to be a gang-member and 1) seize any property the city deems was used for gang-related purposes, 2) fine the individual or group of people up to $10,000, 3) file further fines to compensate for perceived harm and damages, and 4) make the person or group of individuals responsible for any attorney fees. Far from preventing or stopping gang-related violence, this ordinance would disproportionately and severely impact Black, brown and immigrant communities in Chicago.

Chicago already relies on an inaccurate, faulty, and racist gang database that escalates violence against Black and Latinx people. Not only does this ordinance not address gun-related violence in Chicago, but it has the potential to perpetuate cycles of poverty and displacement for Black, brown and immigrant communities.

We need your help in pressuring members of Chicago City Council to vote NO on this ordinance, and refocus the conversation on tools that will place resources, like the Peace Book, in the hands of community members in order to disrupt state violence.