Staff Reports
In the latest demonstration of Chicago’s law enforcement priorities, the Justice Department has decided that standing with pro-Gaza protesters is a suitable use of resources during the Democratic National Convention. It seems that the federal outfit chose to trot alongside demonstrators rather than ensure the safety and order that one would typically expect at such a high-profile political event.
Earlier in the week, the March on the DNC coalition apparently had a little too much enthusiasm and veered from their permitted route, creating a kerfuffle just outside the United Center. This was the same location where President Biden was scheduled to give his keynote address. It raises eyebrows when protesters manage to breach a layer of security fencing—800 feet from the President, no less—and yet it appears they received nothing but a friendly escort from the DOJ’s Community Resource Services division on Thursday night.
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The spectacle continued as traditional law enforcement found itself more interested in babysitting the press than managing the protest. Journalists were warned to stay on the sidewalks or risk having their credentials yanked, effectively turning the street into a no-fly zone for reporting on the event. Apparently, press freedoms come second to keeping the protest atmosphere as light and riot-free as possible. Nothing says “freedom of speech” quite like corralling reporters away from the action.
One might wonder why the DOJ deployed specific resources for this protest while previous demonstrations went without such an escort. Would it be too much to ask for consistency in how different groups are treated? Given the obvious political leanings of the current administration, one can’t help but think that a pro-Gaza protest gets a pass. At the same time, more conservative voices might find themselves facing a very different kind of law enforcement reaction.
As tensions rise and political divides deepen, it’s becoming clear that in the eyes of some, peaceful protests advocating certain views receive favorable treatment. Meanwhile, the surrounding chaos within the Democratic National Convention showcases a party more interested in pandering to specific crowds than maintaining order and decorum. So, sit back and enjoy the show as the city of Chicago keeps the peace—at least as long as it’s peace the liberal agenda can get behind.
