undefined
Reporting from the protest. |
||
|
Over 10,000 people demonstrated in Chicago. The organizers of the protest had no idea that it would balloon to such numbers, and they did not initially plan to march on Lake Shore Drive. The protesters CHOSE to abdicate their unprecedented route, marching back into downtown Chicago via Michigan Ave. Police quarantined us at the intersection of Michigan and Oak, surrounding the entire crowd without open dialogue. I only felt nervous when I realized that they were planning to "disperse" us with tear gas, despite having rounded us up like cattle, with nowhere to go. I fled the Loop shortly afterwards, but have heard since that people were consistently cornered and arrested throughout the evening. There were women and children (and infants) in this protest, and no more than one or two hundred people were trying to provoke a reaction by the police. Are Chicago police behaving well? They did not gas us; they only put on masks to scare the shit out of us (at least, it scared the shit out of me; I simply wanted to leave by a point). Generally they behaved well, but they woefully undercounted our numbers, they have since woefully given erroneous information to CNN and the news agencies, and they have mischaracterized our protest, which, despite the occasional agenda, was an enormous feat for Chicago citizens. We took Lake Shore Drive and marched through commuter traffic. Two drivers gave the finger to us; numerous people ignored the event. An unprecedented amount of people honked, or stepped out of their cars to honk, cheer, and shake hands with us. They could have been making the best of a momentarily bad situation; it certainly is likely. So perhaps the commuters should be allowed to guess our numbers. or what happened that night. I just don't like being brushed off. I have a real opinion and my thoughts count. Dismissing me and like-minded people or distorting the truth for our airwaves is not an honorable act. Such things should and will be exposed. THIS IS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THIS IS BUSH'S COUNTRY. WILL HE QUASH HIS PROTECTEES, HIS SUPERIORS, OR WILL HE LISTEN TO THEM? My name is Andrew R. Kiefer |
||
