Darien Council Hopeful 'Proud Member' Of NAACP

DARIEN, IL — Darien City Council candidate John Laratta, who has declined to answer questions about Black Lives Matter, now says he is a "proud member" of the NAACP, a national civil rights organization.

Earlier this month, Darien Patch wrote a story about how Laratta, a disabled Vietnam veteran, has declined to answer questions about Black Lives Matter. This is in spite of the fact that he repeatedly alleges online that the Darien Police Department violated his civil rights in a December 2019 encounter. He also filed a complaint with the police, who said they investigated his allegations and determined they were unfounded.

Last month, though, Laratta skipped over a question on a Patch questionnaire asking candidates for their positions on Black Lives Matter and thoughts on the demonstrations after the death of George Floyd. He later declined to answer Patch emails about Black Lives Matter.

But late last week, he began repeatedly posting the same message in response to Patch's story about him and Black Lives Matter.

"How outrageous that a white member of numerous white organizations, Patch reporter David G(iuliani), by innuendo is calling me a racist for not speaking out LOUD and Boisterous enough for this WHITE reporter, for Black Lives Matter," Laratta, who is white, said in the message. "David G, I am and have been a proud member of the NAACP. Are you? If not, you just cannot hide your fanatic bias against me and, BEST for you, really Best for you, your militant defense of the Darien police chief that I have demanded to resign."

Laratta did not say what he meant by "numerous white organizations" and still did not indicate his position on Black Lives Matter or the demonstrations.

Laratta maintains homes in Darien and Redington Beach, Fla. While he is registered to vote in Illinois, he said in the questionnaire that he has retired to Florida.

Laratta faces Ward 5 Alderwoman Mary Sullivan in the April 6 election.