Dec 31

Dec 31 Police Escort to Safety

Chicago, Demonstrations, Public Declarations, Protest

Today, Chicago’s Palestinian community held a march that coincided with the end of 2023 (as well as my birthday). As has often been the case, it began in the plaza located at the intersection of Ida B. Wells Drive and Michigan Avenue. When the speeches were complete, those assembled then marched north on Michigan Avenue. The police permitted the demonstrators to cross the DuSable Michigan Avenue Bridge rather than diverting the group westward on upper Wacker Drive. Once over the bridge, they continued marching northward until reaching Chicago Avenue, where they reversed course and presumably headed back to the starting point for some final chants. There were two notable events in this otherwise formulaic gathering.

First, a young man who was one of the speakers discussed his cognitive dissonance as he continues his daily routine, knowing he is safe in Chicago while the Palestinians in Gaza are under siege. If I recall correctly, at one point he asked how could he have fun while people are starving and dying in Gaza.

Clearly this young man has a great deal of humanity running through him. Yet, I couldn’t help but think of the demands that the demonstrators have made on everyone else over the last several months. Like the young man, people walking along Michigan Avenue or in the Loop, headed to work or shopping for the holidays, are just going about their lives.

Many undoubtedly also are horrified by what has transpired in Gaza, but like the young man, they are capable of holding multiple thoughts in their heads simultaneously. The demonstrators, however, have no qualms about disrupting those people’s routines and lives. This young man chooses when to elevate the Palestinian morass over his daily routine, but the demonstrators do not give others the same choice.

Second, when the demonstrators did a u-turn at the intersection of Michigan and Chicago Avenue, I followed, planning to pick up some delectables for the evening ahead at stop at Eataly. When I came to the Starbucks Roastery at 646 North Michigan Avenue, police officers lined the windows and entranceway. No surprise. The demonstrators who congregated outside the police perimeter were angry. I thought I saw some minor contact between several demonstrators and police officers, so I backed up, waiting to see what would happen. Suddenly, several protesters started screaming that I was a Zionist posting their images on Zionist websites.

I was a bit aback because I had never been hassled during close to two dozen other demonstrations that I have covered since October 7. In fact, I am known to the organizers, other photographers, the police, and the television media. Up until today, my relations with the organizers and demonstrators had been nothing but cordial. Some have even thanked me for covering their efforts.

Given that the people calling me a Zionist had no idea about my personal views, I took the reference to be anti-Semitic—not because I thought they knew I was Jewish, but the word was being tossed about in the same manner as the “N’ word.

Mobs need enemies to fuel their rage. Today I became that enemy. Several demonstrators converged on me. I recall a group of three or four blocking my pathway, and then pushing me while I stood feet from a line of police officers. Shortly after the pushing started, a burly police officer approach me, put his arm around my shoulders, while saying, “We are getting you out of here for your own safety.”

One thing I don’t do is resist the police, so I let him walk me down the street one block and I then bid him a Happy New Year. As we walked, I did ask him why the police did not arrest the small group of demonstrators who made contact. After all, intentional physical hostile conduct can be construed as an assault, with elevated charges for a hate crime and committing a crime against a senior citizen. He responded that they have First Amendment rights to protest. I retorted that I as a photographer covering an event with a communicative intent also have First Amendment rights and as a citizen I have just as might right to be on Michigan Avenue as the demonstrators. In all likelihood they had no permit for their demonstration. Despite my comments, my interaction with the officer was a friendly one.

This incident symbolizes are larger problem. The police had a simple choice. Arrest the small group of demonstrators, which could have resulted in a violent confrontation between the police and demonstrators who remained, or relocate one person. Admittedly, choice made by the police is the one I would have made had I been in their position.

Yet, for the last 12 weeks, the police have continually yielded the streets to the demonstrators, inconveniencing thousands of Chicagoans. The police have even allowed the demonstrators to block entranceways to retail establishments. Each time, other people are forced to yield their rights to the rights of the demonstrators, which is problematic for the reason I noted earlier.

As I have previously hypothesized, the Chicago Police Department does not strike me as the agency who is making the call. I suspect Mayor Johnson has ordered the police to avoid confrontations and arrests. He may come to regret the precedent that he is setting when the Democratic National Convention rolls into town next August. Will he be as lenient when the national media has television cameras rolling while demonstrators block access to the convention center, try to shutdown hotels hosting delegates, or engage in violence.

In closing, I do want to note that the vast majority of demonstrators were peaceful. Happy New Year.

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