Anjanette Young: Chicago police video shows woman handcuffed naked in raid on the wrong home
Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot has apologised to the 50-year-old social worker for the ordeal.
Thursday 17 December 2020 08:26, UK
Bodycam footage has revealed the moment a woman was handcuffed naked as police mistakenly raided her Chicago home.
Officers broke down social worker Anjanette Young's door and stormed through her flat shouting "hands up, hands up" before she had a chance to dress.
The 50-year-old, who had been getting ready for bed, can be heard screaming and telling police: "You've got the wrong house!".
She was eventually given a duvet to cover herself after officers handcuffed her naked in the February 2019 ordeal.
Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot apologised to Ms Young during an emotional news conference on Wednesday.
It comes days after Ms Lightfoot's administration went to federal court to try to stop Chicago's WBBM-TV station from airing the footage, but was denied.
"I am deeply sorry and troubled that her home was invaded and that she had to face the humiliation and trauma that she suffered. That is just not right," Ms Lightfoot said.
"It simply should not have happened. And I will make sure that there is full accountability for what took place."
Ms Lightfoot initially tried to distance herself from the incident, saying it happened before she took office in May 2019, and blamed the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) for not releasing the video earlier.
COPA's investigation, which could include recommendations for disciplining officers, is ongoing.
The footage prompted widespread criticism, including from black state legislators who called it an "act of racism, gendered violence and yet another violation of a black woman's dignity and safety".
Ms Young's lawyer said there had been an attempt to cover up the raid and described it as "a very eerily similar situation" to the one that killed Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky in March.
Ms Young said on Wednesday that the 21 February 2019 incident was something she will carry with her "always".
She said that having the video in the public sphere was difficult but necessary.
"I want accountability," she told reporters in Chicago. "I don't need social media followers, I don't need that type of stuff. Accountability."
Ms Young obtained the video as part of her lawsuit against the city.
Chicago had also filed a request to have Ms Young sanctioned for allegedly violating a confidentiality order.
Mayor Lightfoot said that Ms Young should not be punished and that she is a victim.