Activists call for transparency from Peoria police in deaths of Black men

Originally published on June 10, 2020 on WCBU Peoria Public Radio. Photos by Tory Dahlhoff

A peaceful protest drew around 100 participants to the Peoria Police headquarters yesterday to bring attention to policing incidents in recent years that resulted in the death of black residents of Peoria.

The demonstration was endorsed by numerous area organizations including the NAACP Peoria Branch, Change Peoria, and Black Justice Project.

Community organizer and Peoria mayoral candidate Chama St. Louis said numerous FOIA requests have been filed with the department in an attempt to increase transparency surrounding the cases.

“If we can get the records of the officers who were involved in the shootings over the last three years, we want to know what kind of disciplinary action has happened for any past abuse that they have inflicted upon the community," she said.

Protesters remained on site for hours as family members of those killed shared stories and called for justice. Numerous artists performed prepared verses on the topic of police brutality to cheers from the crowd.

St. Louis said they are encouraging residents to join in the effort to increase police transparency.

“People can sign our petition and let city council know this is a demand we have and this is what we want to see happen," she said.