Thousands of people gathered in peaceful demonstrations across Chicago Friday as protests and marches continued around the world following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Meanwhile, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced new safety measures ahead of planned weekend protests Saturday.
Here are the latest developments from across Chicago:
7:34 p.m.: New Safety Measures Ahead of Chicago Weekend Protests
Several new safety and security measures were announced by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Friday evening ahead of a weekend of anticipated protests across the city.
More than 300 trucks from the Department of Streets and Sanitation, Department of Transportation and the Department of Water Management will be positioned across streets to assist with traffic control.
Additionally, the city has partnered with more than 100 security providers to help ensure safety in commercial areas, officials said.
Local
7:29 p.m.: Massive Protest to Defund Chicago Police Department
Thousands of marchers took part in large protest to demand the defunding of the Chicago Police Department Friday evening.
The march kicked off with a 6:30 p.m. rally in the West Loop.
Demonstrators have demanded that the city defund and demilitarize police, that the Chicago Police Department and Illinois National Guard stand down immediately and that all protesters be released, according to a website about the demonstration.
5:30 p.m.: 2 Officers Relieved of Police Powers Amid Investigation Into Arrest at Brickyard Mall
Two officers involved in an arrest outside Chicago's Brickyard Mall have been relieved of their police powers pending an investigation into the incident, Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said Friday.
The announcement comes after the Federal Bureau of Investigation said it is looking into the violent arrest that was captured on video, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's office.
"The Cook County State's Attorney's office has launched an investigation into possible criminal charges related to the incident at Brickyard Mall, " State's Attorney Kim Foxx said at a news conference.
"Our office is in communication with the attorney representing the family in the case, and also working with the FBI which has started their own investigation as well," she continued, adding, "We’ll look at the evidence and the law and see where it takes us."
1 p.m.: When Will Chicago’s Curfew Lift? Lightfoot Weighs In
Chicago's mayor revealed what it will take for the city to lift its nightly curfew, which remains in place heading into another weekend of planned protests.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she hopes to see multiple days of peaceful protests for her to lift the curfew.
"[Thursday] was one of the first days where we have had purely peaceful protests," she said. "If we continue to see this I'll be the first one to embrace eliminating the curfew but we're not there yet."
FBI Investigating Violent Arrest at Brickyard Mall
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into a violent arrest at Chicago's Brickyard Mall that was captured on video, the Cook County State's Attorney said Thursday.
"The Cook County State's Attorney's office has launched an investigation into possible criminal charges related to the incident at Brickyard Mall, " State's Attorney Kim Foxx said at a news conference.
"Our office is in communication with the attorney representing the family in the case, and also working with the FBI which has started their own investigation as well," she continued, adding, "We’ll look at the evidence and the law and see where it takes us."
7 p.m.: Kanye West Joins March Against CPS Contract With Police
Kanye West, appearing to try and blend in as best he could with the crowd, joined a march organized by Chicago Public Schools students and activist Ja'Mal Green on the city's South Side.
A spokesman for the rapper told NBC News earlier in the day that he donated $2 million to the families and legal teams of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. West also set up a college savings fund for Floyd's 6-year-old daughter Gianna.
The demonstration West joined was held in protest against CPS' contract with the Chicago Police Department, organizers said. The protest began at the CPS office in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood on the South Side, followed by a march to CPD headquarters on Michigan Avenue.
Organizers of the event cite the Minneapolis Public Schools' cancellation of its contract with local police after Floyd's death as a reference for their demands, which include the cancellation of the CPD contract and increasing funding for school therapists and art-based extracurricular activities, as well as mandatory education on the American history of race taught by black educators.
6:15 p.m.: 5K Gather to Protest on Chicago's North Side
A massive protest of around 5,000 people filled the streets on Chicago's North Side on Thursday.
Chicago Public Schools students, teachers, parents and others marched from Lincoln Park High School to Whitney Young High School to "stand up against the militarized and overfunded Chicago Police Department" and call for the creation of a Civilian Police Accountability Council, among other measures to address racial injustice, organizers said.
6 p.m.: COPA Says More Than 250 Complaints Against Chicago Officers Received Since Friday
Chicago's Civilian Office of Police Accountability said it has received more than 250 complaints against officers since Friday, many involving responses during the city's protests over the death of George Floyd.
As of Thursday afternoon, at least 258 complaints were reported to the city's police watchdog agency, Chief Administrator Sydney Roberts said.
The complaints related to excessive force, denial of counsel and improper search and seizure, Roberts said.
"COPA formed a specialized team of investigative personnel and we began reviewing and responding to those complaints in real time beginning Saturday," she said.
10:45 a.m.: Hundreds March From St. Sabina Church
Rev. Michael Pfleger says approximately 200 people will walk from St. Sabina Church to 79th and Racine in order to "remind America what began all the unrest of the last week across this country and to tell America that she will not be allowed to continue this genocide of black men."
10 a.m.: Healthcare Providers Hold Demonstration
Hundreds of healthcare providers from around Chicago held a silent demonstration in front of the old County Hospital to draw attention to the impact of structural racism and injustice on themselves and their patients.
Lawmakers Request Emergency Special Session
Three members of the Illinois Legislature are asking for an “emergency legislative session” to address criminal justice reform and the issues at the center of demonstrations and unrest.
Reps. Kam Buckner, Curtis Tarver and Lamont Robinson sent House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Don Harmon a letter Wednesday requesting the session.
"There is a substantial amount of legislation that deals with the rebuilding of our communities and the pursuit of justice and equality that has been filed in the past and that is more important now than ever," the letter reads.
"Our communities simply can not wait until the November veto session to address these systemic failures and the eroded trust of our neighborhoods when it comes to government, law enforcement and the criminal justice system, as well as economic development. We are in a state of emergency and need to act immediately," the lawmakers continued.
