George Floyd day of action protest in Federal Plaza, downtown Chicago commemorates 5 years since of police brutality murder
Share and Follow

CHICAGO (WLS) — A rally Sunday in Chicago was part of a larger national effort by many of the same groups that amplified the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of George Floyd’s killing five years ago.

It is a movement which is now hitting back at the current administration’s efforts to roll back oversight of police departments across the country.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Dozens filled Chicago’s Federal Plaza on the Sunday before Memorial Day to commemorate five years since George Floyd’s killing at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis. It was a scene replicated in some 23 cities nationwide.

“It was 9 minutes and 29 seconds what we witnessed, and everybody witnessed that, the atrocities of murder.” 25th Ward Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez said.

Floyd’s death launched a summer of protests nationwide, drawing outrage from all corners, even as the 2020 pandemic raged on. The Department of Justice increased oversight and filed lawsuits against the Minneapolis Police Department and others.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration dropped those lawsuits, a move presaged by an executive order he signed April 28 with the purpose of “Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement.”

“I realized I’m not one generation out of civil rights. I am still in it,” said Marquinn McDonald with he Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. “We are still fighting it. We are still standing up against it.”

The executive order also allows the administration to pursue legal action against state and local officials who are perceived to be obstructing criminal justice or using DEI initiatives to restrict law enforcement. But even as protesters Sunday called out the administration’s actions, they expressed confidence in the police oversight process in place in Chicago.

“Chicago is the focal point for police accountability. We have the most progressive police accountability ordinance in the country,” said Faayani Aboma with the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. “We have one district counselor who is a representative of the structure and our organization is fighting for community control of police across the country and our view it’s people power that’s going to push it forward.”

Despite the Trump administration’s decision to drop lawsuits filed against Minneapolis and others, Chicago’s consent decree remains intact, as it does not involve the Department of Justice.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Chicago mayor says Trump's troop deployment is about power, not safety

Chicago’s Mayor Claims Trump’s Troop Deployment Prioritizes Power Over Safety

CHICAGO (WGN) With the National Guard en route to Chicago, Mayor Brandon…
Family mourns Avery Neal, hit-and-run victim in Indianapolis

Family Remembers Avery Neal, Victim of Indianapolis Hit-and-Run

Avery Devon Neal died Saturday after being hit by a car on…
NYC mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo wants to save Rikers Island, New York's notorious jail complex

New York City mayor hopeful Andrew Cuomo aims to rescue the infamous Rikers Island jail complex

New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo says he wants to save…
Indiana police arrest 16-year-old accused of raping 79-year-old woman

Teenager, 16, Arrested in Indiana for Alleged Assault on 79-year-old Woman

Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that…
Sheryl Lee Ralph talks about starring in ABC's 'Abbott Elementary,' lifetime milestones, and her foundation

Sheryl Lee Ralph discusses her role in ABC’s ‘Abbott Elementary,’ personal achievements, and her charitable foundation

NEW YORK — Sheryl Lee Ralph makes us laugh every Wednesday on…
Driver seeks to dismiss murder charges in crash that killed 4 students

Motorist aims to drop murder charges in accident that claimed lives of 4 students

The 23-year-old man charged with the deaths of four sorority sisters in…
Senate holds more votes on Day 8 of government shutdown

Senate Conducts Additional Votes as Government Shutdown Reaches Day 8

House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana holds a press conference with other…
'Publicity stunt': Johnson confronts Dems over shutdown grievances

“Johnson Accuses Democrats of Using Shutdown Complaints as a ‘Publicity Stunt'”

() Arizona’s two Democratic senators got into a testy exchange Wednesday with…