This is a coloring book of black and white line drawings based on the Chicago Police Department’s “Office Friendly: Safety Coloring Book,” which one of the artists from Sasaki Family Zines brought home from kindergarten after a visit from the man himself. Published by the city as part of its CAPS program (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy), the original offers children instructions for life, and portrays police officers as friendly friends who keep kids safe.
With this coloring book, we at Sasaki Family Zines reject the false notion that police = safety. Family members redrew pages from the original, line by line, adding and tracing each other’s drawings and words, sort of like holding hands. We also added new language that we feel is more accurate and honest. Atifa For Kids! encourages kids to draw outside the lines and say “Fuck the Police” in different ways and languages.
The original risograph was printed by Angee Lennard at Spudnik Press Cooperative in July 2021, in an edition of 150, which was distributed freely at the ZINEmercado at Comfort Station, Logan Square. (Special thanks to Oscar Arriola and CHema Skandal!) Please email sasakifamilyzines@gmail.com to acquire a physical print edition and enjoy this free download to share with friends and family. GAMBARU!
Sasaki Family Zines is a friends and family publishing house in Chicago, IL.
