I have spent a considerable amount of time decrying the actions of police departments across the country as they clash violently with various #occupy movements. I've been alternately sad, angry, frustrated and mystified at how some police departments have brutalized and intimidated the protesters. While there have been some issues in Chicago with rough arrests in Grant Park, I really felt compelled to do a diary covering the Chicago Police's exemplary behavior at yesterday's action and march.
The brutality gets the headlines, as well it should. Cracked heads, billy clubs, pepper spray and tear gas have been used on citizens in various cities turning peaceful protests into fear laden stand offs with riot clad storm troopers. These stories MUST be highlighted. America must be made to face the militarization of its various police departments. Still, in various cities across the country, police departments have chosen to not barricade, kettle in and face off with protesters while intimidating, antagonizing and brutalizing them. In these cases, it's amazing how wonderfully peaceful and dare I say, joyful some of the protests become as people come together and occupy.
Yesterday, #occupychicago successfully shut down the bridge at Lasalle and Wacker in downtown Chicago at the height of the evening rush hour.
Photo via Occupy Chicago
After gathering at the Thompson center the crowd moved up to the bridge. Hundreds of protesters went out onto the street shutting it down to traffic. A group wearing blue windbreakers emblazoned with Jobs not Cuts sat down in a triple row all the way across the street.
Please notice the absence of riot clad storm troopers! No crowd of police, billy clubs raised, charging into the crowd. No barricaded lines defended by gun wielding officers at the ready to fire tear gas and rubber bullets. No streets filled with police buses waiting to take away the arrested with ambulances also at the ready. All those things that were meant to intimidate and strike fear into protesters across the country were notably absent yesterday in Chicago.
What happened? Did an angry mob of protesters hurl themselves into the streets wreaking damage and destruction on the city? No. Some sat down on the bridge with several hundred standing behind them, bystanders gathering and joining them as they took the bridge. By the time the action was over and people started marching back into the Loop, the crowd was estimated at 2,000 people.
The live coverage on ABC7 gave a balanced picture of what was occurring though quite frankly, they seemed as surprised at how peaceful the protest was as I was at how peaceful the police were.
Warnings were given by police that the protesters were obstructing traffic. The civil disobedience continued peacefully. When the police moved in, they walked up calmly and singly, knelt by each of the sitting protesters, spoke with them briefly, helped them up and led them away. The protesters kept their hands behind their backs but they were not cuffed. No one had to scream "shame" at the officers. They had nothing to be ashamed of.
Photos via Occupy Chicago
The sitting protesters were detained for a short time, cited with misdemeanor traffic violations then released. No one was arrested. Imagine that! A sane and reasoned response to obstructing traffic, a traffic violation citation.
The rest of the growing crowd was allowed to march back into the loop where they were joined with more protesters who were gathering at LaSalle and Jackson. They were escorted by police on their march through the loop and while yes, they did obstruct traffic during the height of rush hour they were allowed to march. The police kept things calm with traffic controlled while serving and protecting everyone.
I'm sure there were some motorists who were annoyed but this is Chicago and there's always something closed down to film a movie, tv show or do construction work. The interview with a motorist at the end of the 10PM news segment indicates that some drivers were actually supportive. The woman interviewed states that if she didn't have to get somewhere, she'd be right out there with them. Yes, the 99%, most people know which side of the economic divide they fall on.
While the 10PM newscast coverage, made note of the fact that there was some confusion in the crowd movements and march after the bridge action, it did still highlight the peaceful nature of the protest and put some focus on the message.
Amazing what happens when peaceful protesters are allowed to exercise their 1st amendment rights and peacefully protest. The message was not overshadowed by the brutality.
To the Chicago police, who seem to recognize that they too are a part of the 99%, thank you. While I'm sure there will be a lot of stories today about police brutality in other parts of the country, Chicago seemed to acknowledge its working class roots yesterday and in my eyes, the city shone even brighter. You, along with all the people who participated in yesterday's action, made me proud of my native city. I hope we can continue in a spirit of cooperation as we continue to highlight the plight of the 99%.
Chicago, my kind of town.