Looting Reported At Evanston Stores As Staff Address Controversy

EVANSTON, IL — Police asked the public to avoid retail areas and stay home if possible as looting spread beyond Chicago's city limits Sunday night. Evanston police said officers had been called to two looting incidents at local businesses as of 9 p.m., while Chicago police handled a similar report on the other side of Howard Street.

Police said looters struck the Walgreens at 2100 Green Bay Road and the Best Buy at 2301 Howard St., as well as the Jewel-Osco at 1763 Howard St. There were no reports of unrest or violence in residential areas of Evanston. Police said there were extra patrols around the city Sunday night.

#Evanston PD has had no further reports of looting/unrest in the @CityofEvanston. CPD has had looting along Howard in the area of the @CTA #Redline. If you have to be out avoid Howard St east of Clark.
— Evanston, IL Police (@EvanstonPD) June 1, 2020

Hours earlier, thousands of demonstrators marched peacefully through the streets of Evanston in a socially distanced protest led by Evanston Township High School students and graduates. There were no reports of any disruptions associated with the event.

"[T]his demonstration is essential business," organizers said ahead of the march. "Black lives have not only been lost at extreme rates during this pandemic, but they have also been brutally taken away due to the effects of racism and police brutality. The terrorization of Black lives has been an existing pandemic that the United States has yet to address for centuries."

There was an incredible, positive, and peaceful show of solidarity at today's protest and rally. The rally has concluded and roads are open to traffic. Please be aware of increased foot traffic as people make their way out of the area. pic.twitter.com/fgsrv4pLps
— Evanston, IL Police (@EvanstonPD) May 31, 2020

Earlier:
Socially Distanced March and Evanston Rally for Black Lives
'Organized Effort' Led To Looting In Chicago: Lightfoot
Video Shows Chicago Cops Dragged, Then Protected By Protesters
National Guard Deployed In Chicago As Looting Continues Sunday

Meanwhile, Evanston city officials are scrambling to deal with the fallout from a recent video shared on social media that appears to show the violent arrest of a 20-year-old Evanston man, who is black, as he attempted to film a traffic stop in the 1300 block of Church Street.

Interim City Manager Erika Storlie released a statement acknowledging the video Saturday.

"I am aware of a video circulating on the Internet of an arrest that occurred earlier this week and that people are rightfully concerned about what happened and whether or not it was appropriate," she said. "I have asked for the body camera video of the incident and I will be reviewing it with the City Council and Police Department leadership. This video will be made public."

Patch has also requested the body camera video and associated reports. The incident began when police pulled over a black motorist and told him it was because he was coming from a "suspicious area" before detaining him on the sidewalk, according to a statement from of Sunday's march organizers.

UPDATE: Body Camera Footage Of Controversial Evanston Arrest Released

The video in question appears to show multiple Evanston police officers chase down the man recording the stop and take him to the ground. He was charged with resisting arrest, disobedience to police, disorderly conduct and obstructing the right of way of vehicles, according to the statement.

Evanston Police Chief Demitrous Cook, who is facing a lawsuit over Snapchat posts of personal information, which he described as accidental, has not publicly commented on the video. Patch requested a comment from the chief on Wednesday about the homicide of George Floyd and subsequent actions in Minnesota, and again on Saturday regarding the controversial arrest video, but have not heard back as of Monday afternoon. Any response will be added here.

UPDATE: Police Chief Addresses Death Of George Floyd For First Time