12/09/07 

CHICAGO -- The Rev. Al Sharpton threatened to lobby the International Olympic Committee to reject Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Games if city officials fail to do something about what he calls pervasive police brutality and misconduct.

"Chicago does not symbolize a place that can hold an international event when it can't deal with its local problems," Sharpton told The Associated Press on Sunday. "They can't say to the world, 'Come to Chicago. We are an example; we are a beacon of light,' when you've got systematic abuse [by police]."

Sharpton said if Mayor Richard Daley and city officials don't respond in a matter of weeks, he will travel to other countries with West Side church leaders and victims of alleged police abuse to persuade members of the IOC to not chose Chicago.

The civil rights leader said the Chicago Police Department needs to be held more accountable and he will propose forming a police community review group and employ a special prosecutor who reports directly to the justice system.