Adam Toledo Did Not Deserve to Die

Another tragedy strikes Chicago as our community mourns the wrongful death of Adam Toledo, a 13-year-old boy who was murdered at the hands of Chicago police. We are saddened and angered by this act. Adam did not deserve to die. Our hearts go out to the Toledo family. The narrative surrounding this case should not center on any action of Adam, but rather the repeated failures of a police system that mercilessly targets young people of color. 

The continued state-sanctioned violence against Black and Brown lives – most recently seen in Minneapolis with the wrongful death of Daunte Wright – compounds the pain and aggravation felt by communities of color across the country. And together, we anxiously await a verdict in the trial of police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. 

Chicagoans have the right to express their pain. The Mayor and City officials must respect the rights of people protesting state-sanctioned violence and white supremacy. The City of Chicago must also acknowledge its consistent choices to fund police over human services. 

Last summer, we cried Black Lives Matter. We called for an end to systemic racism and harmful policing tactics. We pushed ourselves and our peers to be anti-racist. The work is happening, but the outcomes remain the same.

We cannot accept this.

Our policing and criminal legal systems must be reimagined to end the harms to Black, Latino/a/x, and communities of color. We must also make long-term investments to bolster individuals and families, creating opportunity and equity. The systems that limit police contact and support and stabilize communities—housing, food, healthcare, well-paying jobs, family support—are the foundation we must strive to achieve for everyone.