Major Chicago Roadway Shut Down By Anti-Gun Violence Protesters

This activism has gotten the notice of the city officials, but has it gotten their attention? 

Emma González ‏ Verified account   @ Emma4Change

Emma González Retweeted ChicagoStrong

Emma González added,

Gives a whole new meaning to "street theatre". Net result will be pissing off commuters on a hot day

They are protesting the violence their own communities are engaging in.

They are protesting the violence their own communities are engaging in.

I wonder why they chose a "Safe Space" to protest in. Nothing like pissing off the "Majority" of law abiding citizens. Works every time. 

I'm sure protesting in the "actual communities" would be dangerous !

Sky High gun violence in a city with just about the strictest gun laws in the country.  I wonder exactly what the protest was trying to accomplish.  More gun restrictions on top of the ones that have made things worse?  Better Police protection?   It doesn't actually say.

Although gun violence of major cities are front page news, on a per capita basis I'm safer walking the streets of Chicago then I am in Chattanooga, TN. 

Had no idea TN ranks somewhere like 14th or 15th in state gun violence ranking. A stat we didn't consider before retiring there.  Like all places, bring aware of your surroundings plays a larger role then strict or liberal gun laws.

Actually, gun violence is more prolific where there are lots of guns.  Per capita, you're more likely to be shot in Wyoming than in Illinois and blue states are safer than red states.

worldlifeexpectancy

Agreed.  The idea of people carry guns legally and any correlation to less gun violence is patently false.   The sensationalism surrounding major cities gun violence is just that, sensationalism.

One is more likely to shoot themselves..  Suicide is high in states like Wyoming and Montana (Montana is working hard to provide necessary programs, hotlines, information etc to lower suicide numbers) - but Homicide (gun or no gun) is barely even a blip on the radar...

WHY?...Granddaughter lives in the city, daughter in the burbs.  Beyond the loves of my life, you cannot beat Chicago if you're a foodie, enjoy museums, theater, cultural and ethnic diversity.

Before retiring, hubby worked at the Chicago Merc...we spent a lot of time in the city.

Maybe the reason the violence looks so high in TN has more to do with this:

en.m.wikipedia

A lot of otherwise red states have big cities with high crime rates due to drugs and liberal big city govts.

Yep, Memphis certainly gives a boost to overall statistics for the state of TN..  Was pointing out per capita between Chicago and Chattanooga, why you're mentioning Memphis is lost on me.

BTW - Chattanooga would only be 'redder' if the majority were bleeding out on a street corner.

NYC for vacation is one of my all time favorites...love taking my Mom to Broadway productions!  She's 81 and thoroughly enjoys our time there, especially in Times Square.  Never a thought of being shot, mugged or otherwise violated...always aware of surroundings & neighborhoods 😉  Living life to its fullest, until whatever takes me out, is my dogma!

Rmando...unable to edit my comment.  Apologize for confusion between state and city in Tennessee.  Never my intent to mislead.

Yet, you brought out a very good point. This one right here:

BTW - Chattanooga would only be 'redder' if the majority were bleeding out on a street corner.

The intention of pointing this out is NOT political.

Any time a focus is turned to the very real and obvious problem of urban violence and the need to address it, instantly it is easy to get slammed as a racist. The subject can not be brought up, can not be addressed. The issue is just left there to fester.

People may not know or remember this now, but at one time areas of NYC was a almost a war zone. Eventually, those problem in NYC were addressed and then maintained. Today, addressing these problems these problems has become unpalatable.

However, the example you gave lends credence toward what I think is obvious and that is, Urban Violence is an Urban Problem. All the other distractions need to be thrown out of the discussion.

I have done studies where simply normalizing the murder rate of a deadly city, all of a sudden changes the murder rate of the entire state to rates comparable to the often sighted rates of western Europe.

Nobody at any level wants to recognize and address that.

I ask myself often; "when are we going to allow ourselves to recognize and address this problem of violence that is allowed to grow and perpetuate itself in our urban centers?"  NYC did. Other cities have better rates of violence. When can we address the issue in the locations plagued by urban violence?

Of course addressing the current problem of urban violence won't fix everything. Of course problems will persist. But we have some very ripe, low hanging fruit just waiting to be picked. Then we can look for the next lowest, and so on.

JMO.

I don't know what the answer would be. The only thing I could think is more police presence and outreach programs. Then there would be the, to much overbearing police occupation.

Imo no matter what is done there are always going to be assholes that could care less whether others live or die.

Personally, I don't know the specifics to the answer either, other than we know NYC provides a successful working model of what was needed to transition from what it was to now.

IMO, the details of what was done to improve life for everyone in that town should be pulled off the shelf, without edits and redaction and used as the basis for plans now.

I've been an advocate for community policing, out of car and back on a beat.  Prevention and proaction serves a community better than reactionary policing.  Need more, hire more...tax dollars well spent.

The protest, which shut down the expressway for about 45 minutes, has ended peacefully. 

And now, all the gang bangers and other criminals will likely get back to the business of killing each other and innocent people.

good god, please stop trying to put them hand in hand..........................they are two separate issues. 

gang bangers like back in the days of lets just say ..................the Italian mafia or the those who died at ..................lets just say the hands of john Gotti is not the same as dirty short fused , hyper sensitive cops that kills citizens for little or no reason when conflict occurs. (meaning the gang mentality is not just a black thing even though the news would want you to ASSUME SO)

we as citizens pay MILLIONS OF MILLIONS of dollars to prepare someone to be a cop, keep them geared up with the newest most expensive tech and spend hours on training, to see it thrown away because of lack of discipline. 

the issue of gangsters is based on FREE WILL. the issue of police abuse and illegal activity is based on NO FREE WILL. it is structured as policy and procedure.

why does it seem, those of you who keep bringing up gang stuff.  have a HIGHER EXPECTATION then someone PAID to use discipline, reasonable force and decision making as if it doesnt matter. humm

I was just referencing the high murder rate in the Chicago area that seems to continue unabated. Mostly gang-bangers and other assorted criminals. Nothing seems to be being done about that, so today's demonstration was pointless and dangerous.

it was not pointless, it was very critical in allowing folks like you that focus on gang bangers to recognize that others are also tired of the gun violence. 

plus the fact the organizers reached out to the police dept and the mayor signed off on it and the police superintendent also changed the request from 2 lanes of the highway and decided to close ALL LANES of the highway. 

so this was a coordinated effort to let the country know that there are good people who want change of the guns laws and prosecutions that stick and safer neighborhoods.

in the end, i respect the effort and the action.

try to remember people have tried to go to meetings, meet with city , county, state ,federal officials about changing gun access , sales, uses, and so on and NOTHING changes. 

so if what would you suggest they do instead? cough cough !!!

The Dan Ryan is the most heavily traveled road in the state of Illinois

Emma González Retweeted ChicagoStrong

Emma is one of the leaders of Parkland High school students who have been protesting gun violence around the country. 

Yes, I know who she is.

Emma doesn't realize that by shutting down roads, emergency personnel (police, fire, ambulance) cannot get through to save people's lives. Idiot.

But in her little mind, she's a hero.

Emphasis on "little".

And I'm being generous with it.

Ill concieved by the protesters to shut down a major expressway, it diminishes the message.  There are certainly other places to have marched, be visible and heard.

Ill concieved by the protesters to shut down a major expressway, it diminishes the message.  There are certainly other places to have marched, be visible and heard.

Good points. I have no issue with people protesting - it's their right. My major concern is that innocent people can die when emergency personnel cannot get through the crowd.

I was just looking for a bit more information than the link provided, this report is from an hour ago...  the cost alone for insuring no one is hurt on the highway will be staggering … JohnRussell is correct on getting noticed by city officials ... I am thinking they will obtain attention from city officials as well ….

I applaud the protesters conviction in making their voices heard … there is just something about shutting down other peoples lives in order to make a point that never seems like the right thing to do … Chicago police and State transportation are keeping lanes open for traffic - hopefully that way tempers do not boil over and turn a march for Peace into a conflict using the very violence being protested ….

Peace!

Chicago gun protesters close part of major interstate near downtown

Demonstrators aiming to close Chicago's Dan Ryan Expressway to protest gun violence achieved part of their goal Saturday morning, gathering on at least one northbound lane as a line of police officers created a barrier to keep other lanes open to traffic.

The marchers, led by the Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Catholic Church, are protesting the city's high gun violence rates. They're calling for "national common sense guns laws" and, for their communities, more public resources, more jobs, better schools and economic development.

March organizers had said they wanted to march on the portion of Interstate 94 between 79th and 68th streets.

Hundreds of people gathered Saturday along and on that stretch, as well as on a ramp and a grassy berm, video from CNN affiliate WLS showed.

"Shut it down! Shut it down!" the crowd shouted at one point.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, also at the protest, told demonstrators by megaphone: "We will not march on the side of the highway. We're marching on the highway."

State police on Saturday morning said they, Chicago police and state transportation department workers would serve as a barrier between protesters and traffic, parking their own vehicles on the highway to separate protesters from the left lanes, allowing traffic to flow behind them. Public workers also stood between protesters and traffic, photos show.

State police director Leo Schmitz told reporters: "Illinois State Police will take necessary steps to ensure we prevent (anyone) from getting hurt."
"This whole thing is great if no one gets hurt and we can get it done," Schmitz said.

msn

Chicago police and State transportation are keeping lanes open for traffic - hopefully that way tempers do not boil over and turn a march for Peace into a conflict using the very violence being protested ….

Actually, northbound traffic on the Dan Ryan was shut down completely for about 45 minutes. 

Actually, northbound traffic on the Dan Ryan was shut down completely for about 45 minutes. 

I hope that no one suffering from a heart attack, aneurysm, or stroke died in those 45 minutes while these folks shut down the road for their "protest".

Open the video in this link (I could not get it to copy over)

msn

I noticed in the video that several tractor/trailers were forced to stop.  Maybe the morons don't realize with the new ELOG's they are affecting drivers' hours of service. If any of their deliveries are delayed, or missed I am sure the Chicago politicians will hear about that as well. Disrupting commerce has a very negative affect on the business community; which might have a very negative affect on campaign contributions.

The protesters claimed they never agreed to not block the highway. What they should have been told is that the every last one of them that steps foot on the highway will be arrested and charged, no exceptions. They got their point across; that their juvenile behavior will be accepted by the Democratic morons that control Chicago, and the state congress.  By doing nothing they are encouraging this type of behavior in the future.

The marchers, led by the Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Catholic Church, are protesting the city's high gun violence rates.

They need to talk to the mayor, Rahm Emanuel, about his negligence.

They're calling for "national common sense guns laws"

We already have "national common sense gun laws". What we need are politicians who are willing to allow law enforcement to enforce those laws. What a concept!

and, for their communities, more public resources, more jobs, better schools and economic development.

IMO, those are too many different issues to address in one day of protests. 

Preaching to the converted Jasper .. 

and, for their communities, more public resources, more jobs, better schools and economic development.

IMO, those are too many different issues to address in one day of protests.

I agree with your opinion .. in addition, the topics begin to ramble a bit … what do these things have to do with an anti gun violence march?  They are all separate issues that need to be addressed individually...

Ambulances dont go racing down an expressway very often in Chicago. There are dozens of firehouses with ambulances located through all the neighborhoods and for the most part there are hospitals near enough that an ambulance wouldnt need to use the expressway. 

Ambulances dont go racing down an expressway very often in Chicago. There are dozens of firehouses with ambulances located through all the neighborhoods and for the most part there are hospitals near enough that an ambulance wouldnt need to use the expressway.

So that is supposed to justify protesters blocking all of one side of "the most heavily traveled road in the state of Illinois"? How would you feel IF ...

• you or your loved one called for an ambulance and it couldn't get through because of those protesters. 
• you or your loved one were trapped in a burning home or building and fire trucks couldn't get through.
• you or your loved one called police for help but police couldn't get through to help you.

THINK!!

Accidents happen frequently on expressways.

How many police officers were removed from patrolling dangerous neighborhoods to ensure this exercise in vanity was able to proceed? 

It's all for the TV cameras and other coverage. Wonder how many of the marchers were packing?  

How many police officers were removed from patrolling dangerous neighborhoods to ensure this exercise in vanity was able to proceed? 

Hey, you're right.  That alone probably saved someone's life.

Only the lives of criminals who will take other lives.

Oh look! An entire herd of Ruby-Throated Douchebags!

Seriously, is there something wrong with getting a permit and protesting in a park (a la The Tea Party)? Why do you have to fuck with everyone else's day? People have places to go. What if someone needs to get to a hospital and that highway is the fastest way there? "Fuck Dad and his heart attack! I need to express my super important political view!"

Here’s how to handle these goons. You get on the blow horn and give them ten minutes to get out of the road. Then you fly over with a crop duster full of pepper spray. That’s how to get the situation under control. I can add this to the long list of reasons to avoid that city like the plague. 

How about banning violent criminals instead of guns for law abiding citizens?

THE DAN RYAN IS CURRENTLY BEING SHUT DOWN IM SO PROUD

And if it being shut down impeded emergency services and someone died due that, would she still be proud?

activist Catholic priest Michael

then the bill for this needs to be sent to the Catholic Church 

He should also lose his tax exempt status for his church.

Again, I still have not seen anything in the news of what they specifically want.  What law do they want passed.  Are they protesting because they want more cops?  Is there something specific coming up for vote?  Or are they just upset because current gun laws are exasperating the situation and the current political leaders won't change strategy and they just don't know what else to do about it? 

If a protest has a very specific goal then the protest usually does a lot more good.  Blocking roadways and this kind of thing are not the correct way to protest and are usually counter productive.  

well i am not a big fan of the highway protest. but after digging in and finding out the organizers reached out 3 weeks ago and then the mayor agreed on it and then the police dept decided that they would shut ALL THE LANES not just two lanes requested. 

i feel better about there right to make a showing of how alot of people are tired of gun violence and it turned out just fine. 

i read alot of comments above and i thought humm what else should they have done. 

they have done meetings, with city , state , federal officials about how to control the way the government deals with guns.

And i like how this protest was also to let the gang bangers know they are tired of their b.s.  And i liked the message of the protesters calling out the parents of those who should be checking there own houses for weapons and slapping a few kids around that want to think gangs are cool. 

i can get behind this situation. And it worked with no issues and positive people knowing there are others just like them. 

the organizers reached out 3 weeks ago and then the mayor agreed on it and then the police dept decided that they would shut ALL THE LANES not just two lanes requested. 

How does a leader with any brains green light the shutting down of a freeway just for a political protest? And how do Democrats cheer it? Remember when Chris Christie (or his people) shut down a bridge for politics? Remember how that was treated as the worst, most despicable thing a politician could do? Why is this different?

1st off the right to protest is protected. The logistics is no different then any other big crowd controlled project. i mean the superbowl  shuts down streets and roadways and traffic is backed up for hours. I know it for a fact because we just had it up here in MN #52 

so lets not make it seem like it is some kinda of unheard of phenomenon.

and any leader would appreciate a 3 week notice on most projects. i mean again i just dont get the absolutism that some of you seem to maintain is how life is. i mean when a water main breaks in a city or bridge falls down aaah thats choas in real time. That also happened here hwy 35 W bridge Minneapolis. 

and you really want to suggest that you dont know the difference between the general public and the right to protest vs a person in power that dictated change upon the public for spiteful reasons. We pay Christ Christie to take care of the public not hurt the public over a personal selfish reason. Big difference! 

Big difference!

Says the person who clearly never has to be anywhere important at a certain time.

say the person that doesnt seem to think before they type. 

emergency services notified 3 weeks before--check

mayors office notified 3 weeks before - check

preacher puts out flyer and advertises during 3 weeks before- check

held on weekend- check

says the person who seems to not have every drove in chicago---NOBODY GOES ANYWHERE fast. so this organized event was something that anyone could make arrangements for if they were worried about time and getting to a location in the city.