Chicago activists (Tax Absorbing Negro Rebel Rousers) protest police hate crime ordinance with Chicago Police Homan Square Facility sit-in - And of course no arrests - just pandering by RAHM EMANUEL.....

A group of Chicago activists has staged a demonstration since Friday near a controversial West Side police facility, vowing not to leave until the City Council formally scraps a proposed ordinance that would make attacking first responders a hate crime.

Members from several organizations, forming the Let Us Breathe Collective, set up their encampment in a vacant lot at Homan Avenue and Fillmore Street, across the street from the Homan Square police building. The demonstration went through the weekend's searing heat and drenching rain.

Demonstrators said they focused their protest on the Homan Square facility that has been at the center of multiple police misconduct allegations over the years. They said designating police officers as a class of people who require hate crime protections would essentially silence people opposing the Police Department.

"It was created as a way to counter a social movement that has bubbled over in the past couple of years," said Damon Williams, who also is a member of Black Youth Project 100. "It threatens protesters in the name of protecting the most protected group."

The idea of a longer-term sit-in grew out of a protest last week. Dozens marched from the Douglas Park home of Dante Servin, who was acquitted of manslaughter after fatally shooting Rekia Boyd in 2012, then chained themselves together to block the intersection at Homan and Fillmore. About 10 people were arrested.

Many in the group then gathered at the vacant lot and dubbed it Freedom Square. Williams said the group was not prepared to stay at the time but returned Friday with tents, food, water, sleeping bags, a barbecue grill and other supplies.

"We have to resist these kinds of oppressive tactics," said Immanuel Sodipe, 19, who is among activists opposing the legislation.

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