On February 21, 2019, Chicago police violated Anjanette Young during a terrifying raid. Officers broke into her home, pointing their guns and handcuffing her while she watched, naked and unprotected. And nearly two years later, reparations are finally in order.
A $2.9 million settlement was approved in December 2021. Black mayor Lori Lightfoot apologized for the raid – after initially siding with police to block the body camera footage.
But Young’s trauma went far beyond that day.
“I lived a very quiet and simple life, and now my life has been completely turned upside down,” she said. “I can’t sleep at night.”
Young eventually had to start medication to treat PTSD and depression, and even lost her job after the incident. And that’s why she’s not just stopping at this settlement.
She’s currently advocating for the “Anjanette Young Ordinance,” legislation that would ban no-knock warrants and officers pointing their guns at children, as well as prevent raids like hers from happening based on false information.
But, of course, the city is resisting her efforts!
Anjanette Young deserves every penny she received, but it's not justice. To achieve justice we need more of the work Young is doing – fighting to make sure this never happens to anyone else ever again. Let’s fight with her!