#StopITOA Campaign | Fall 2016
|
The #StopITOA campaign was an effort to stop an anti-Muslim, hyper-militarized police training called the Illinois Tactical Officers Association (ITOA). Organizers chose ITOA as a target because of its direct involvement in training and arming Cook County officers, even utilizing empty school buildings as training grounds.
The campaign organizers held teach-ins on police militarization in Illinois, co-organized press conferences, launched a petition, and held call-in days to stop the conference, culminating in a rally and street blockade on the day of the Chicago Marathon on Michigan Avenue. Lead organizations of the campaign included CAIR-Chicago, AFSC-Chicago, For The People Artists Collective, and Assata’s Daughters. FTP Artists Collective supported the campaign through lead decision-making, hosting art builds, creating memes and graphics, banner designing and painting, and participating in direct action. Old Website: #StopITOA: End the militarization of our communities
Video: #StopITOA street blockade Photos: #StopITOA street blockade |
Independent Media Coverage of #StopITOA Campaign
11/16/2016 - Schooled in Terror: The Tactical Trainings Where Cops Militarize Their Brutality | TruthOut
10/18/2016 - 4 Things You Need to Know About Police, Militarization, and Islamophobia | JooJoo Azad
10/18/2016 - I Was Arrested for Protesting Police Brutality | Muslim Girl
10/17/2016 - Activists Shut Down Michigan Avenue to Protest Police Training Conference | SJNN
10/13/2016 - StopITOA effort launches in Chicago | AFSC
10/11/2016 - Activists Shut Down Chicago Intersection to Protest Police Training Conference | TruthOut
10/10/2016 - Chicago Youth Protest Police Militarization and Anti-Muslim Training | Chicago Monitor
10/09/2016 - #StopITOA: Shining A Light on Militarization | Transformative Spaces
10/05/2016 - How the 'use of force' industry drives police militarization and makes us less safe | Waging Nonviolence
9/26/2016 - No Abolition Without Demilitarization | Rad Fag
09/23/2016 - Far-Right Trump Consultant to be Honored Speaker at Illinois Police SWAT Training | AlterNet
09/22/2016 - Statement on Harassment of #StopITOA Organizers | AFSC Chicago
10/18/2016 - 4 Things You Need to Know About Police, Militarization, and Islamophobia | JooJoo Azad
10/18/2016 - I Was Arrested for Protesting Police Brutality | Muslim Girl
10/17/2016 - Activists Shut Down Michigan Avenue to Protest Police Training Conference | SJNN
10/13/2016 - StopITOA effort launches in Chicago | AFSC
10/11/2016 - Activists Shut Down Chicago Intersection to Protest Police Training Conference | TruthOut
10/10/2016 - Chicago Youth Protest Police Militarization and Anti-Muslim Training | Chicago Monitor
10/09/2016 - #StopITOA: Shining A Light on Militarization | Transformative Spaces
10/05/2016 - How the 'use of force' industry drives police militarization and makes us less safe | Waging Nonviolence
9/26/2016 - No Abolition Without Demilitarization | Rad Fag
09/23/2016 - Far-Right Trump Consultant to be Honored Speaker at Illinois Police SWAT Training | AlterNet
09/22/2016 - Statement on Harassment of #StopITOA Organizers | AFSC Chicago
Mainstream Media Coverage of #StopITOA Campaign
10/10/2016 - 15 Arrested at Protest Near Chicago Marathon Route | SunTimes
10/09/2016 - Protest against police policies near marathon | Chicago Tribune
10/09/2016 - Protest against police policies near marathon | Chicago Tribune