Chicago protesters call for more police accountability, not more cops

FOX 32 NEWS - The mayor's major crime speech Thursday drew some protests in Chicago.

Dozens of Chicago activists gathered outside Malcolm X College to criticize the mayor's plan. They called for more police accountability.

The dozens that lined up outside of Malcolm X College felt left out of the mayor's conversation on violence in the city.

There were many messages being shared at the protest, and many say by the people living in the situations that Mayor Emanuel is talking about.

Activists and protesters were kept outside the venue by a wall of Chicago police officers on bikes.

“There are people out here that live in the communities that he's talking about. And there are people in there that won't even leave and drive through those communities at less than 40 miles an hour in their cars,” a Chicagoan said.

Being locked out did not stop the group from trying to send a message.

Some are calling for a Citizen Police Accountability Council to replace the current Chicago Police Accountability Task Force.

Others question why only add more officers.

"It's disrespectful to the city of Chicago that we have a mayor who would rather hire more police officers instead of invest in urban communities,” said Ja’Mal Green.

The city is expected to add more than 500 police officers to help cut down on the violence running rampant in Chicago.

Activists say if there's money for that, there should be more invested into preventative measures within these communities.

“They ask him, do he have a budget to hire more officers. You know what he says, we will find one. But when we come to him and say we want to change the condition in these neighborhoods, we're living in food deserts, our housing is being knocked down with no plans to redevelop. We need economic development, we need jobs. We need funding in CPS. You know what he says, we're broke,” Green said.

Although there were many messages out there, one continues to echo: many are tired of what they say is just talk and they want to see action.