Protesters Arrested After Throwing Rocks At Alderman's Home
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago alderman has a message for those protesting police misconduct: stay away from my family in the process.
On Saturday, demonstrators pelted the home of Ald. George Cardenas (12th) with rocks and other debris. Three people – 23-year-old Efrain Montalzo, 29-year-old Javier Ramos, and 25-year-old Billie Kincaid – were charged with misdemeanor mob action, police said.
Police said protesters who started off marching along 26th Street in Little Village on Saturday later converged on Cardenas' three-flat, some wielding torches, and others throwing rocks and debris. Scores of police vehicles responded, and police arrested Montalzo, Ramos, and Kincaid.
"They could have caused a fire. They could have thrown the torches onto my house. God knows what happens in a mob action; and to me, that's what it was. It was mob action," the alderman said.
Cardenas was not home at the time, but his father, ex-wife and two daughters were there.
"It shouldn't be about my home. It shouldn't be about my family. They have nothing to do with this at all," he said.
The alderman said he doesn't know why the protesters would target him and his home.
"We're looking into that. I have no idea," he said.
A poster distributed by organizers of the demonstration said the march took aim at "the political leadership who sell us out."
"It's getting out of control. It's getting out of hand, in their tactics," Cardenas said.
The alderman said Chicago residents have the right to be angry about the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, but protests must be handled in a civil manner.
Montalzo, Ramos, and Kincaid were due in court January 13.
