Here it is: https://www.injusticewatch.org/news/police-and-prosecutors/2021/adam-toledo-little-village-police-gangs/

But first, a quick personal note. I grew up all over the SW side and crossed paths with many Adams — kids who would sneak out at night and hang with the "wrong" crowd. I was never that kid and all the adults in my life thanked me for it. (1/5) https://twitter.com/ballesteros_312/status/1384211021347184653

Years later, I visited my 6th-grade teacher after I graduated college. I told her I’d become a reporter. She stopped me before I could finish my sentence. “You’re a success story!” she said. That emphasis on success is pervasive among our community. And it's killing us. (2/5)

Watching Adam get dragged through the mud by so many Latinos brought me back to those days of being a "good" kid. I remember thinking that the "bad" kids in my grade were unsalvagable; that there was something wrong with them and that there was nothing we could do about it. (3/5)

I came away from this story inspired by the youth working to change things. They understand that the root causes of the violence engulfing places like Little Village — from gangs AND the police — stems from bigger issues: poverty, disinvestment, and systemic racism. (4/5)

I appreciate everyone reading and sharing the piece. I hope it sparks conversations within our community about how quickly we render our young people disposable. Los quiero mucho and stay safe (5/5)