Several dozen activists gathered outside the 16th District Police Station in Chicago July 3 to celebrate killer cop Evan Solano being stripped of his police powers. Solano was clearly seen on video shooting and killing 22-year-old Anthony Alvarez March 31. Since then, Alvarez’s family has been working with the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Chicago to demand justice.
Despite Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability recommending that Solano be relieved of his police powers pending investigation, the Chicago Police Department did not take action until June 28. “If it were not for the strength of Anthony’ family and the outstanding community support, Superintendent David Brown never would have acted,” PSL’s Ana Santoyo told the July 3 rally. “We have to be honest and clear, that the people stripped Evan Solano of his police powers, and we are not stopping there in demanding justice for Anthony!”
The rally and march was sponsored by Alvarez’s family, PSL Chicago, Centro Autonomo, People United Albany Park and Make Noize for Change. The march ended at the office of Alderman Jim Gardiner, one of the three aldermen who called for a counterprotest to an action May 29 demanding the jailing of Solano. The outside of the office was covered in “Wanted: Evan Solano” signs and posters of Alvarez with his two-year-old child.
Participants sought to keep the public’s attention on Alvarez’s case, get answers as to why he was shot and demand the arrest of Solano. “The entirety of the system has tried to sweep Anthony’s name under the rug, including not giving Anthony’s family answers about what happened on March 31,” said Santoyo. The city has still not released any information as to why Solano shot Alvarez, and police have repeatedly attempted to dismantle the family’s memorial to Alvarez and harass members of his family.
Alvarez’s cousin Laly Figueroa thanked activists for their support and said that they would continue to fight for justice for Alvarez: “We are here again today and will continue to be here until CPD, [Chicago Mayor] Lori Lightfoot and that killer cop understand that we are not going anywhere, that we are not giving up, and that we will only continue to get louder from now on until Evan Solano gets fired, arrested, and charged for murder.”
Activists continued to call for justice for Alvarez with a banner drop July 8 near the popular 606 Trail, which drew positive reactions from passing motorists. “It was great to see cars honk and show fists of solidarity and support for the cause as they drove by,” said PSL’s Shabbir Manjee.
Santoyo noted that is was the power of the people in the streets that had led to the arrest and conviction of George Floyd’s murderer Derek Chauvin. “We will get the same outcome,” she said. “This family is here to fight, and the people, the workers and oppressed are here to fight with them.”
Feature photo: Demonstrators march from the 16th District Police Station to Alderman Gardiner’s office demanding the arrest of killer cop Evan Solano. Liberation photo
