A large group gathered for a protest around 4:20 p.m. local time, the department said. Officers were there "providing security and protecting their First Amendment right to peaceful assembly," the statement said.Approaching a statue of Christopher Columbus, some people in the crowd used rocks, fireworks, frozen bottles and other objects to attack officers, the statement said. The attack resulted in 18 officers injured, the statement said. Some were taken to area hospitals by paramedics for further treatment and some were treated at the scene.About 12 people were arrested and could potentially face charges that may include battery to a police officer, mob action, and/or other felonies, according to the statement. At a news conference on Saturday, activists demanded the immediate defunding of the police department."We have a right to freedom of assembly. We have a right to protest. What happened yesterday was a travesty. That's what happens in dictatorships," Aislinn Pulley with Black Lives Matter Chicago said, adding she saw people beaten by police and officers using tear gas.Amika Tendaji, another member of Black Lives Matter Chicago, said, "We cannot bodycam our way out of this. We cannot do any kind of reforms to get those people to act with humanity. They must be defunded."State Sen. Robert Peters also called for reform at the news conference."We must get police out of our communities and invest in housing, schools, social services, grocery stores," he said. "That is what lifts up our communities."Mayor Lori Lightfoot confirmed there were "several reports of excessive force by the police," adding that the Civilian Office of Police Accountability would address the complaints.
'We were outnumbered and unprepared,' officer says
A veteran Chicago Police officer said Saturday some police officers felt they weren't ready for Friday's protest. "I have 17 years on this job. Last night was another example of how our leaders have let the radicals take over," the officer said. "We were outnumbered and unprepared once again. The initial officers on scene had no helmets or shields. Coppers were getting pelted with rocks, sticks, bottles and then shot with fireworks."The officer fears the growing violence puts officers lives in danger.Read More – Source
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