Chicago police and Illinois State police worked to prevent O’Hare International Airport — a federal facility — from being shut down. Illinois State Police using portable loudspeakers warned the demonstrators that anyone who attempted to enter the expressway would be arrested … and arrest they did.
Near Higgins and Cumberland, protest organizer Rev. Gregory Livingston urged demonstrators to be peaceful, and said that anyone who wanted to be arrested should make a single file line. Livingston was then arrested by police and transferred to a police van. A few other protesters followed, and were arrested. Others continued a loud protest in an unrestricted sidewalk or pathway near the area, and were not arrested.
The large police presence outnumbered protesters, and authorities say this was a finely coordinated effort between the City of Chicago, Park Ridge police and the Illinois State Police.
The group, Coalition for a New Chicago organized by Rev. Livingston, is attempting to send a message to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, demanding better job opportunities and schools for those living on the city’s South and West sides. They also want a face-to-face meeting with the mayor.
“Rahm is inaccessible, and not a people person. He runs from the people and we’re just gonna chase him until we get him as long as he’s getting a pay check, because that’s the taxpayer’s money.”
— Rev. Gregory Livingston
Protesters had said they were seeking to shut down O’Hare to gain attention for the fight to end gun violence, segregation, and racism in the region. Operations at O’Hare were not affected by the protest.
BREAKING: Multiple protesters are being arrested and being blocked from entering the Kennedy Expressway near O'Hare. The Rev. Gregory Livingston has also been arrested…https://t.co/pUTeswoEIp pic.twitter.com/VZQopstTQp
— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) September 3, 2018
Anti-violence protesters waiting on another bus of demonstrators to arrive before they attempt march on Kennedy, protest leaders say https://t.co/1V9zh3P6pt pic.twitter.com/IlekZnUTdF
— NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) September 3, 2018
Group to move ahead with protest on expressway, plans O’Hare ‘shutdown’ for today at noon https://t.co/2TG2z9APMS pic.twitter.com/cy1CFHsGJX
— FOX 32 News (@fox32news) September 3, 2018
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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