Protesters To Target Chicago Shopping Area On Black Friday

[Purveyor]

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO (AP) -- Small groups of demonstrators gathered again Wednesday to protest the death of a black teen shot by a white police officer, and they urged supporters to join them in trying to shut down Chicago's famous Michigan Avenue shopping district during Friday's holiday shopping bonanza.

About two dozen protesters gathered outside Mayor Rahm Emanuel's City Hall office on the day after authorities released a graphic squad-car video showing the officer shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times. Jason Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder.

The group held banners showing photos of other black people fatally shot by police in Chicago and elsewhere. Several protesters said they were parents of black men who were killed by Chicago officers.

"You cannot kill our children and expect us to be quiet any longer," protester Quovadis Green said. "It is unacceptable."

Activist Mark Carter called on people to "rise up" and shut down the Magnificent Mile shopping area on Black Friday. He said protesters also planned to target the Board of Trade and other landmarks in the coming days.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_KILLINGS_BY_POLICE_CHICAGO?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-11-25-16-44-34

[7962]

1. Another fine way to win over more supporters.

Apparently they'll never learn

[SoCalMusicLover]

2. What Is Your Better Idea?

G-d forbid they should stop the Rabid American consumer, on their way to purchase last year's Flat Screen TV at a discount.

I hope they succeed in having their voices heard in a peaceful manner. Let them shut the ridiculous black Friday shopping, who cares?

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. No point in protesting where you will not be noticed.

Gonna be an interesting event Friday.

[SoCalMusicLover]

5. As Long As It's Peaceful

No lives are being endangered. No violence is being suggested. People won't be able to shop for a few hours 4 weeks ahead of Christmas. Oh No!!! I might have to wait until......SATURDAY to shop!!

Definitely sounds like something that would cause an undecided person to think what the cop did was acceptable.

[former9thward]

8. Two dozen people will not shut down Michigan Ave even for a minute.

It is too cold in Chicago to attract the crowds than would mean anything in a protest.

[mopinko]

16. not that cold today.

hi 41. 37 right now. chilly, but not that bad.

[former9thward]

23. A few hundred people in the rain.

Some stores briefly locked their doors when people marched by but that was it.

[mopinko]

24. we'll see how the rest of the day goes.

i suspect things will be ongoing. it stopped raining.

[mopinko]

25. pics from the street, posted by a former du'er show

an almost empty mag mile.
they won w/o "firing a shot". everybody stayed home.
win.

[former9thward]

35. People don't go shopping in the cold rain.

But regardless the sales just get pushed back a day or two. What that is supposed to accomplish I don't know. Whatever one thinks of the Chicago PD this protest will change no one's mind.

[7962]

29. And things stayed PEACEFUL.

[7962]

7. Well, i wouldnt be shopping anyway, but pissing people off accomplishes nothing

Just like blocking freeways and invading restaurants. Its just an attempt to get on a camera somewhere, which they'll get. The "better idea" would be to get groups from all walks of life together, go over the facts of the shooting to where everyone is on the same page, and get several leaders to show up at City Hall. You'll get coverage and you'll also likely get more people on your side.
Of course the cop has already been arrested and charged, which is usually NOT what happens. I dont see this guy getting away with it either, after seeing the video. NO procedure was followed.

[Tempest]

3. If that was their intent, you'd have a point

But since it's not, you're just whistling dixie.

[7962]

6. You're probably right.

[murielm99]

9. I think it is a very effective way to protest.

Shutting down black Friday will get lots of attention.

Protests are supposed to get attention and inconvenience people who are complacent.

[7962]

10. Do they want attention or do they want support? There's a difference.

This group continues to show they're more interested in being attention whores; not winning people over. Blocking highways and streets does NOTHING to gain support.
Believe me, crazy shoppers arent going to let a bunch of folks get in the way of them saving 18 dollars on a flat screen.
It could get ugly and if it does, oh well, live and learn

[murielm99]

14. I wonder what your background is...

You seem to know nothing about civil disobedience.

I feel sorry for you.

[7962]

15. Thanks! I know plenty about it. And I know THIS type activity doesnt work.

And I can look at my friends as anecdotal evidence. We ALL want to see officials held accountable and bad cops put away or off the streets. But I know of none who think this is the way to achieve that goal. And none who are giving MORE support to BLM based on the childish arrogant antics of recent months. If anything, the discussion is how this will just drive people away.
Look at the polls. There's not nearly the support that was there months back.
But they'll get their 15 minutes and probably some money out of it. Not much else. Its ridiculous.

[mopinko]

17. they want attention.

duh. attention to the fact that our children are being gunned down by the people who have sworn to protect us.
likely nobody shopping on the mag mile today or any other day is ever going to become an ally. any given day half or more of them dont even live here, anyway.

this will bring them support from the right people, attention from those who dont take it seriously, and it will annoy those who dont give a crap.

it is the perfect place/time for a protest.
hell, it is the perfect place to smash some windows. they will be repaired before the end of the day. nobody who is already hurtin would be hurt.

i wish them luck. and lots of tv time.

[7962]

20. Yeah, that action would just cause even more pushback.

And likely get more people put away instead of the cops that deserve it.
Stores will just hire MORE security who will be worse than the cops.
Seeing videos like this one and Eric Garner and Walter Scott GETS people behind you. Smashing windows and causing trouble just gets people to shake their heads and say "screw 'em, look what they're doing" and move on.
But it looks like they're gonna try it your way, so we'll see who's right

[mopinko]

27. looks successful to me.

seeing video and pics from the scene.
block or so long march had michigan ave closed down.
later pics show very few shoppers and stores being shut down.
i'd call it a win.

the people that they piss off are exactly the ones who should be pissed off. they dont give 2 shits for the lives of these children. dont give them a seconds thought.
tho they will be fuming today, they will have at least heard the cries. and can ignore them no more.

[7962]

28. Actually they marched peacefully and the stores did not close.

I saw on the news people on the 2nd floors of several stores taking pictures of the march, so obviously they werent closed.
They also did not make an attempt to block the stores either. Certainly the streets were clogged during the march, but as they passed things returned to normal
So I'd say smarter heads prevailed. They got media without making fools of themselves. I even saw several people holding signs saying "Stay peaceful" and "no violence"

[mopinko]

30. dude, i am looking at pics from the scene.

you are dead wrong.

[7962]

31. Well, tell it to CNN. thats where I saw it.

They were walking with the marchers while filming.
Maybe some stores closed but they didnt show any of those

[mopinko]

32. well duh.

you think cnn is gonna tell you that the protest was a success? are ya daft man?

eta, the march is not the important part. the number of shoppers is.

[7962]

33. Hey, if its attention & disruption they want, go shut down O'Hare!

That'll do it!

[mopinko]

34. there are too many innocents there.

mag mile on black friday not so much.
all the right people put out there.

why are you so against them having a successful demonstration?

[7962]

37. I'm against violating peoples rights to go wherever they want to go.

Because what about the reverse? Oh, thats right, these were the "right" people being inconvenienced!!
They had their march and they didnt break any windows or cause trouble, so good on them. If I lived there and wanted to shop, I would have gone shopping. It just wouldve been harder. And no one would have the RIGHT to stop me. Just like blocking highways. If I've got somewhere to go, I'm going.

[mopinko]

38. selfish

[7962]

39. Meh.

[Ace Rothstein]

13. I have no issue with this.

The high end businesses there losing money might pressure Rahm to actually do something.

The protesters just can't be destructive like they briefly were last night.

[cwydro]

18. Why don't BLM protesters protest that little 9 year old's murder?

Strange.

[7962]

21. +1

[riversedge]

19. Its Friday--will have to see what the day brings. Stay safe

[ancianita]

22. Important note: Chicago Teachers Union is joining the protest in support of the communities' kids.

[mopinko]

26. pics i am seeing from friends on the street show

a pretty empty mag mile.
everybody stayed home.
win.

[romanic]

36. Why not shut down city hall instead?

Hold Rahm accountable for the police violence and the gun violence killing off the people in the South Side.