Thousands of protesters led by Father Michael Pfleger shut down the Dan Ryan Expressway on Saturday to demand "common sense gun laws, community resources, better schools, jobs and economic development."
They shut it down: pic.twitter.com/azp25HkTod
March against gun violence to shut down Chicago's Dan Ryan Expressway. https://t.co/nuGFDtr18C pic.twitter.com/yES1ZWxbMA
The protesters began pouring onto the freeway at approximately 10:20 a.m., carrying banners and shouting "Shut it down."
At about 11:30 a.m., protesters negotiated with authorities to shut down all northbound lanes for the protest march and began moving again. Earlier, Governor Bruce Rauner's office had earlier warned that anyone going across the barrier would be arrested, but no arrests have been reported. -ABC 7 Chicago
Illinois governor Bruce Rauner lashed out at the protest over Twitter - saying "This is unacceptable. We had clear parameters that allowed the protestors to be heard while respecting law and order. Instead, they chose instead to cause chaos," while admonishing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel.
This is unacceptable. We had clear parameters that allowed the protestors to be heard while respecting law and order. Instead, they chose instead to cause chaos.
I’m disappointed in the Mayor. There was an agreement in place. I am calling on the Mayor to take swift and decisive action to put an end to this kind of chaos. I will work with him in good faith and urge him to do his job so that the people of Chicago feel safe.
Emmanuel responded on Twitter, stating "It was a peaceful protest. Delete your account," echoing Hillary Clinton's (social media team's) attempt at a joke during the 2016 election.
It was a peaceful protest. Delete your account. https://t.co/QoKyIHmuQj
We would note that while the first item they're protesting is a constitutional right which would primarily affect law-abiding gun owners, problems with "community resources, better schools, jobs and economic development" can be traced directly back to Chicago's 84 years of Democratic leadership.
"The ones that won today are the people because the people are showing up. When they saw this many people out here, black and white and brown, young and old, saying we're tired of the damn violence in Chicago. We want the governor, the mayor, the elected officials and...