Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced new police reforms as he fends off calls for his resignation amid continued protests over fatal shootings by officers. On Wednesday, Emanuel said he will order additional training and double the number of Tasers from 700 to 1,400 to promote the idea that shooting is a last resort. The Chicago Tribune reports the police department already expanded the use of Tasers in 2010, but the move did not reduce police shootings in the ensuing five years. Meanwhile, protesters have brought the call for Mayor Emanuel’s resignation to the front steps of his North Side home, where they said the time to implement changes has expired.
Protester: “We had to bring our message to Rahm Emanuel’s doorstep because I guess he didn’t hear us. I guess he hasn’t been listening. We’ve been protesting over a month, and he’s still in office. He doesn’t understand that we’re fed up. We’re fed up with his leadership in Chicago, and he has to resign. Everything that he’s trying to do, now that the pressure is on him, should have been done 13 months ago, should have been done four years ago. He could have even did it in April, when he got back in office. But instead, he waited. He waited until we were fed up. So, Rahm Emanuel, you’re too far in the hole. You’re too far in the hole, and I don’t think you can get back out. We need you to resign, and we need you to resign now.”