No racial ‘bias’ in calling for Chicago to annex Mt. Hope Cemetery: Ald. Matt O’Shea

Columnist Mary Mitchell recently suggested racial bias in my calls to annex Mt. Hope Cemetery following a violent encounter involving two funeral processions on Sept. 30. The column ignores many of the facts surrounding this issue, and includes a significant factual inaccuracy as well as unsubstantiated speculation.

Mitchell writes “Although the shooting had nothing to do with gangs, O’Shea chose to frame it that way.” In an email blast to constituents on the day of the shooting, I wrote very clearly that “this incident was not related to a gang funeral.” In that same email, I accurately reported that the two processions involved were both for senior citizens. That same day, I was interviewed by several news programs and in each one I stated unequivocally that this incident was not gang-related and instead was being characterized by law enforcement as a road rage incident.

Instead, Mitchell quotes an interview that I participated in with a Sun-Times reporter regarding the long-term problems that exist at this cemetery, where I accurately referenced previous instances of gang-related violence at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Nothing in those statements link the Sept. 30 incident to gang activity and any suggestion to the contrary is inaccurate.

Mitchell also writes that “It is the living causing the problems that have led Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) to call for the annexation of the cemetery to the city of Chicago to what — lock it down?” There is no evidence to support this speculation — in fact, the Sun-Times own reporting on the matter states “O’Shea acknowledged only the state can regulate what goes on inside cemeteries. But he argued that annexation would empower the city to restore order outside.”

I released a lengthy statement about annexation, and the many other efforts that have been made to address this problem previously. To imply that this is an effort to shut down Mt. Hope Cemetery is irresponsible given that I have never stated any intention to shut down the cemetery, and because annexation would not empower the city to shut down the cemetery.

Finally, the column argues that “A few traffic cops — like the ones who direct traffic outside of major entertainment venues — would likely have prevented this incident.” Mitchell fails to acknowledge that for a period of time cemetery owners did hire off duty law enforcement to direct traffic before ultimately discontinuing this practice. In my public announcement calling for the annexation, I include this information as well as my opinion that “The presence of a security professional directing traffic on Wednesday could have prevented this incident.”

To suggest, in a column attacking me, a potential solution to this problem without including that the exact same solution had been implemented at my suggestion before being discontinued by cemetery owners over my objection, paints an inaccurate picture for readers.

Mt. Hope is the busiest cemetery in Illinois. It is not uncommon for more than ten funeral processions to be scheduled, at the same entry point, in a two-hour window. It is also not uncommon for these processions to include incidents of violence. As alderman, I will pursue any and all avenues to curb that violence. The suggestion that those efforts are racially motivated are baseless and offensive. Supporting those suggestions with factually inaccurate statements is irresponsible.

Ald. Matthew J. O’Shea, 19th Ward