“Black Christmas” protesters calling for Chicago mayor to resign

Posted on December 24, 2015

By John Gregory/Illinois Radio Network

CHICAGO – The protesters calling for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to resign won’t be taking a break on Christmas Eve.

A march dubbed “Black Christmas” is planned for Thursday, aiming to disrupt holiday shopping along Chicago’s Michigan Avenue.

It’s similar to protests from Black Friday which hurt sales at some retail stores in downtown Chicago, but one of its organizers, Coalition for a New Chicago founder Gregory Livingston, said violence is not their goal.

“One of the things that we want to emphasize is that everyone is invited. No one has to worry. It’s a peaceful march, but it’s going to be an effective march,” Livingston said.

The plan is for protesters to gather at the bridge and Michigan and Wacker Drive, near the beginning of the “Magnificent Mile” shopping district, and then march north.

It’s one of many protests that have taken place in and around downtown Chicago since footage was released last month of Laquan McDonald being shot 16 times by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, who has been charged with murder.

Emanuel has said he has no plans to resign. He’s currently on vacation in Cuba.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…