The gang database is a tool used by the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to surveille, harass, and target Black and brown members of our community, particularly young men. It is also a tool that is used by the federal government to justify the deportation of our community members and a way that the City of Chicago collaborates indirectly with ICE.
The goal of the ongoing campaign is to expose the flaws in the database, hold the CPD accountable for the misuse of it, and demand its elimination from law enforcement. OCAD is part of founding a coalition of organizations pushing for the elimination of this surveillance and criminalization tool.
Download the Chicago Gang Database Proposed Ordinance
As an undocumented-led collective in the city of Chicago, we will take a moment to breathe and cherish this moment as we prepare to continue the ongoing radical grassroots organizing happening throughout the city. Trump is on his way out of office. However, we know that the same racist and inhumane structures of this capitalist empire are still up and running.
Este taller de criminalización es un recurso preparado por Comunidades Organizadas contra las Deportaciones (OCAD) y el Centro para la Nueva Comunidad (CNC). La clave para luchar contra el sentimiento anti-inmigrante es comprender que no se trata de delincuencia, sino de la criminalización.
Genoveva’s case is one of OCAD’s first victories. OCAD supported her in filing a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (something that takes a lot of courage). As a result, Genoveva got her U visa approved, is with her family and continues to fight for others.
Wilmer Catalan had been residing in the US for over 10 years and, in March of 2017, ICE agents unlawfully entered his home without a criminal warrant or consent. ICE had conducted a raid based on false information obtained from the Chicago Police Department indicating Wilmer belonged to a street gang.