(no subject)
At 3:00 in the afternoon, there's quite a crowd gathered at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. Most of them look pretty much like any citizen of Chicago - all races, all ages from early teens up to the smattering of grey-haired but stalwart protestors, people from every apparent profession and walk of life. A few have shown up in their work clothes, be they crossing-guard or National Guard of doctor's coats, as though to prove that they're the hardworking people of the city and ought to be listened to.
A lot of them are holding signs or American flags. Most of the signs bear slogans demanding government accountability, No More Chicago Crime!!, safety, safe streets, and a plan for economic reconstruction. A few, however, are more ominous: signs demanding that illegal aliens and Wanderers get out, signs proclaiming Chicago For Chicagoans!, signs bearing the acronym C L F.
A man is up on a portable podium, giving everyone an orientation through a megaphone. He's just finished covering the march route and the carts which will have water and first aid kits along the way, and now he's launched into his talking points - "Some of us, we remember how Chicago used to be. It used to be safe! It was a place you felt good raising your kids! But something happened to change that, and what did our government do? What did our elected officials do? Nothing! What did they say? Nothing! Today, we're going to make them say something! We're going to make them do something! We're going to march to the new City Hall and show them that the people of Chicago won't stand for!"
Volunteers, some wearing FIGHT BACK NOW - ASK ME HOW! shirts are weaving through the crowd, handing out pamphlets and photocopied news reports. There's a lingering buzz of tension in the air.
A lot of them are holding signs or American flags. Most of the signs bear slogans demanding government accountability, No More Chicago Crime!!, safety, safe streets, and a plan for economic reconstruction. A few, however, are more ominous: signs demanding that illegal aliens and Wanderers get out, signs proclaiming Chicago For Chicagoans!, signs bearing the acronym C L F.
A man is up on a portable podium, giving everyone an orientation through a megaphone. He's just finished covering the march route and the carts which will have water and first aid kits along the way, and now he's launched into his talking points - "Some of us, we remember how Chicago used to be. It used to be safe! It was a place you felt good raising your kids! But something happened to change that, and what did our government do? What did our elected officials do? Nothing! What did they say? Nothing! Today, we're going to make them say something! We're going to make them do something! We're going to march to the new City Hall and show them that the people of Chicago won't stand for!"
Volunteers, some wearing FIGHT BACK NOW - ASK ME HOW! shirts are weaving through the crowd, handing out pamphlets and photocopied news reports. There's a lingering buzz of tension in the air.