Anger Over Killing by Police Halts Shopping in Chicago

[question everything]

Source: NYT

Hundreds of demonstrators on Friday marched down the middle of North Michigan Avenue, the city’s premier downtown shopping district, forcing the police to close the six-lane thoroughfare to vehicles and prompting some businesses to lock their doors for at least part of one of the busiest shopping days of the year. A mix of ages and races, the protesters marched up and down the avenue, known here as the Magnificent Mile, for several hours, calling for justice in the shooting death of a black teenager by a white Chicago police officer.

(snip)

Coming on the heels of street demonstrations that stretched late into the night here on Tuesday and Wednesday, the protest upended shopping. Some protesters linked arms and stood at the entrances of businesses, like Apple and Levi’s, as tourists stood watching. At Water Tower Place, one of the city’s best-known downtown shopping malls, doors were blocked, at times, and by midafternoon security guards were turning shoppers away from the stores as police officers stood guard inside.

Some shoppers expressed frustration, others confusion. When Lorrie Frawley, an Ohio resident visiting family in Chicago, sought to enter the Loft clothing store along Michigan Avenue, demonstrators refused to budge and burst into a song that included the lyric, “You ain’t gonna shop today.” Ms. Frawley turned away but said she did not understand how stopping her from shopping addressed concerns about policing.

(snip)

One woman carrying shopping bags through the Godiva chocolate section of a Macy’s in Water Tower Place said: “If they want to protest, they should have a memorial for him. But this is ridiculous.” She declined to give her name. The protests were largely peaceful, the authorities said. The Chicago police said at least three people had been arrested on misdemeanor charges. John Curran, a vice president of the Magnificent Mile Association, which represents the area’s retailers, said that protesters “definitely made an impact on our shopping day,” but that “all things considered, it went as well as could be expected.”




Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/28/us/laquan-mcdonald-jamar-clark-protests.html

[mindwalker_i]

1. But if the people stop shopping, the terrorists win

What is America becoming

[Joe Shlabotnik]

4. Maybe the terrorists are winning?

[crim son]

15. Heh. Indeed. n/t

[msongs]

2. just step around the bodies, they've got shopping to do nt

[mucifer]

3. The protests have been very effective.

I have NEVER seen a local protest here in Chicago get the entire first 6 minutes of coverage on a local news show. I saw that happen both on the CBS and NBC affiliates. It's also all over the front pages of the the Chicago Trib and Chicago SunTimes.

There have only been 4 arrests.

The information is coming out about the questions as to why did they let this cop patrol for AN ENTIRE YEAR before charging him? and Why do 4 dash cam videos all have missing audio? and What happened to the Burger King video? People are asking all of these questions.

[murielm99]

6. Yes, very effective.

It is getting attention.

I just wish the obtuse shoppers would educate themselves about BLM and why such a protest is necessary.

[tblue37]

12. ". . .why did they let this cop patrol for AN ENTIRE YEAR before charging him':

Simple--they thought they had covered everything up completely. They didn't realize their bare naked a**es were about to be exposed to the world.

[rhett o rick]

5. The general public don't understand protesting. "It's ok as long as it doesn't inconvience me."

These protests are against a culture that the 1% has fostered. Vote for HRC if you want to continue with this bullcrap.

[cstanleytech]

7. rhett, Hillary losing will not make things better. People actually getting off their ass and

voting in every election rather than just every 4 years is the only thing that will really help to create long lasting change.

[rhett o rick]

8. Don't blame the voters. The system is corrupt and many votes don't count. Millions

have been disenfranchised and the Democratic Party doesn't even seem to care. And then most of the time we get to vote for one of two candidates that are both owned by the billionaires.

We need change and H. Clinton represents the corrupt status quo that has put us where we are today. Yes it's very important to vote but more important to get candidates that actually represent the people. We can't survive another 8 years of Wall Street looting the 99%.

[cstanleytech]

9. Rhett even if Bernie wins his power will still have its limits as no

President can wave a magic wand to change things especially if the Republicans keep control over Congress.

[rhett o rick]

10. I absolutely agree, but we must start somewhere. I believe that H. Clinton is at least

partially favorable to social justice issues as long as they don't cost the 1% a dime. In fact, I believe the 1% is supporting her because they believe they will gain wealth if she is president. A Sanders Presidency would make it harder for the 1% to continue looting the 99%.

[cstanleytech]

11. Maybe but try not to be disappointed with him if little to nothing changes

because it won't be his fault.

[rhett o rick]

13. He represents just a part of the Populist Movement that won't be discouraged with some set-backs.

We are in for the long haul.

[TipTok]

14. Children throwing tantrums...

[LanternWaste]

18. Inconvenienced shoppers often are.

Inconvenienced shoppers often are.