Group says Calumet City law unfairly targets black youths

A group of protesters marched on City Hall again this week, this time asking for officials to repeal the city's jaywalking ordinance. The protest on Thursday was led by Voices of Morality, a group that aims to "right the wrongs of systematic injustice," said Leslie Brown, the group's spokesman. "We want it stopped," Brown said. "We're saying the old system's flawed and it needs to be stopped." The group demanded a public hearing on the jaywalking ordinance. The city ordinance mirrors a state statute, but prosecutes at the municipal level. Minors who are cited for violating the ordinance are taken to the police station and their parents are called. Brown said the city ordinance unfairly detains black children. "They're the only ones who seem to be targeted," Brown said. Police Chief Pat O'Meara said he does not know if the department keeps records on the racial make up of minors who have been arrested. [more ]