Peaceful Protest in Chicago


First, the self-serving coverups, excuses, and propaganda coming from the various draconian Police Departments notwithstanding, The Occupation movement is a non-violent movement. As odd as it may sound, given their history, the Police in Chicago understand this. This was highlighted in a recent article by the Chicago Tribune

From an article written by Dawn Rhodes, Chicago Tribune reporter, this acute observation is pronounced,

"Violence has marred protests elsewhere. But here, police and marchers seem to be making a loud statement through nonviolence."

The violence she is referring to is the fearful police response elsewhere in the nation which has lead to pointless mass arrest, and serious injury. And, some ridiculous charges as "Improper use of a sidewalk" coming out of Dallas, Texas -- both my son and I mused about the kinky overtones in that charge.

So, why is Chicago handling the Occupation differently? From my distant vantage point, I can only speculate. However, my gut tells me that when all is said and done it come from three historic facts.

First, this generation of the Chicago Police Department does not want anything repeating the police riot of the 1968 Democratic Convention. That riot was egged on by the Democrats objecting to the protestors, and pressuring "The Boss" to do something about it. The end result was that the police were pressed to quell the protest. They lacked the tools and the training to deal with it. Today the CPD has the tools, and the training, but still prefer a professional route. That brings up the second reason.

Second, while the Occupation movement may be a pain to the officials of the city and the nation, it is essentially peaceful.

There have been two acts of petty property damage here in Chicago, and the Occupy Chicago movement has, to the best of my knowledge, made restitution for that damage -- like I said I am out in the fringes, so that may not be the case.

Since the protestors are committed to non-violence, it would be another unnecessary political black eye to Obama to to have the Chicago PD storm in as the State Police have in Oakland, and Berkly. The slander and hate speech of Fox News notwithstanding most people do understand that the police response is out of proportion to the Occupation Movement. Chicago is a city that works, and the police have taken a low key, "all in a day's work" non-personal approach to the Occupy message. That brings us to the next point.

Third, Chicago has a long history of protest, activism, and workers struggles. Most city dwellers are 99%-ers even if they do not join the movement. They understand the friction between the haves and have-nots. More important, many of the CPD officers grew up within the ongoing struggle. Their parents were part of that struggle. The officers know, deep within, that the Occupiers are speaking for them too.

While the rest of the nation is marred in heavy handed police violence, and citizen reprisal, One can hope that the community bond which exist here in the Great City of Chicago will hold while being tested in a time of change.

Watch the interview below for more information about Occupy Chicago.

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