Famous Cubs fan Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers interrupted a press conference Thursday to add his voice to the growing demands for Mayor Rahm Emanuel's resignation in the wake of the Laquan McDonald dashcam video release.
The press conference, organized by the Coalition for a New Chicago, was held in support of legislation filed Wednesday by State Rep. LaShawn Ford that would allow for a recall of the mayor. The group has pledged to support the bill by helping to round up the 85,000 signatures needed.
During the Q-and-A portion of the press conference, Wickers asked the organization's co-founder, Gregory Livingston, if he could say something. Livingston told him he wasn't on the agenda but allowed him to proceed to the microphone anyway.
"I represent the fans of Chicago," Wickers said. "If you're right, you're right. If you're wrong, you're wrong. If you throw a curve ball, you might miss it. You throw a fast ball, you might miss it. If you throw a strike, you're out. I think the mayor should go. He knows what's going on. You can lie to everybody, but you can't lie to yourself. The mayor, he knows."
Wickers was presumably referring to the details of the McDonald case, including the contents of the dashcam video, which the mayor has claimed he did not see until it was released to the public in late November.
House Bill 4356, the recall legislation, was filed the same day that thousands of protesters marched through downtown Chicago demanding Emanuel's resignation. Hours before, the mayor delivered a tearful apology in front of City Council members regarding the city's handling of the McDonald case, but he indicated he has no plans to resign.
"We understand there's a desire by some to insert politics into this discussion, but the mayor's focus is not on his own personal politics," Adam Collins, a spokesperson for the mayor, said. "His focus is on the residents of this city and finally and fully addressing the issue of police accountability, which has challenged Chicago for decades. He is energized by the challenge in front of us, and committed to driving real solutions for our city."
Chicago Baseball
Wickers, wearing his full Cubs attire, ended his brief speech during Thursday's press conference comparing the mayor's current situation to a baseball game.
"You play ball now, get him out now," Wickers said. "You strike out, you're out. Get him out!"
