Chicago Activist Ja'Mal Green Announces Plans To Run For Mayor

CHICAGO — A 26-year-old community activist wants to be Chicago's next mayor.

On Tuesday, Ja'Mal Green announced plans to run against Mayor Lori Lightfoot with a campaign launch video that includes promises to "cut gun violence in half" and "create 10,000 new homeowners" each year, among other things.

A product of Chicago Public Schools, Green said he got his start as a youth organizer after being kicked out of nine schools that "didn't have the resources to give me the attention that I need."

Green enters a crowded list of contenders seeking to oust Lightfoot, including former CPS chief executive, Paul Vallas, businessman Willie Wilson, state Rep. Kam Buckner, Ald. Roderick Sawyer, Ald. Raymond Lopez and former police officer Frederick Collins.