Rapper and Chicago native Kanye West joined Chicago Public Schools students Thursday at a protest demanding CPS cancel their contract with the Chicago Police Department.
The march was organized by Ja’Mal Green to fight CPS’s $33 million contract with the police department. Recently, Minnesota Public Schools canceled their contract with the Minneapolis Police Department.
Kanye was also in news yesterday following his donation of $ 2 Million to charities associated with Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, the three recent black men, and women killed by police officers. The rapper will also be aiding black-owned businesses with financial contributions in his hometown of Chicago.
Hundreds of current and former CPS students and their allies marched through the streets of the South Side. They said justice for Chicago Public Schools starts with cutting ties with the Chicago Police Department.
Organizers said research shows that the presence of police officers in schools increases the likelihood students will be referred to law enforcement for normal teenage behaviour.
The young protesters said instead of pouring money into CPD, they want the mayor and CPS to reinvest that money.
The march travelled from the CPS District Office to CPD Headquarters in Bronzeville.
West’s representative said he established a 529 education plan to fully cover college tuition for Gianna Floyd, the 6-year-old daughter of George Floyd.
