Yesterday, I attended the Laquan McDonald protest that took place in Downtown Chicago, IL.
I knew it was going to be an interesting day after getting on an unscheduled Chicago Bears Metra train. If it hadn’t been so early in the morning I would have thought to take a picture. I highly doubt I’ll get another chance to experience something like this again.
Once I made it outside of station and to the street, I made my way down to Pritzker Park located at Van Buren and State Street. The march began here and ended at The Thompson Center. Arriving over an hour early I was the first of many who were there. I met three people who were kind enough to allow me to photograph them with a sign that would be displayed during the march.
Right before the march began people began lining up on along the wall. Additionally, the police were showing up with their bikes that would be used to shield protesters from oncoming traffic.
Once reverend Jesse Jackson made his way to the front the march was set to begin. It was led by two protesters carrying a banner representing those who lost their lives to the hands of the Chicago Police.
As the protesters made their way down State Street, all I could hear were chants of 16 SHOTS AND A COVER UP!!! When the group made it to the end of any street, they would stand in the middle and begin to count from 1 to 16. 16 being the number of times 17-year old Laquan McDonald was shot and murdered in 2014 by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke who has recently been arrested.
As the crowd walked down the road the media was everywhere. I began to try to weave myself to the other side of the street, but before I knew it I too was now part of the protest. WHAT DO WE WANT? JUSTICE! WHEN DO WE WANT IT? NOW!!!! This became the foremost chant.
As I was now walking side by side with the protesters I couldn’t help but notice the amount of children and teenagers who were also in attendance. It felt good that the younger population were there walking side by side with what looked to be their parents. Right before the group turned left on Randolph Street they stopped at the intersection for prayer led by former IL state senator Pastor James Meeks.
Once prayer was over it was onward to the Thompson Center. As I looked back I could see a sea of people. It could have easily been over 500 people walking in the streets. I could see signs stating “1 Down 2 to Go” “Rahm = Harm” “Any black alderman who are not with us are against us” “Stop Police Terror” and many others. Some people in cars were honking their horns as others on sidewalks also chanted with the crowd.
Once the group did make it to the Thompson Center the crowd began to assemble in front of Reverend Jackson. Instead of taking pictures I found myself helping others get up to the platform where reverend Jackson and others spoke.
Once the event was concluded I headed back East on Randolph, so I could make my way to the Metra station where I picked up some popcorn for the trip home. While walking I heard others talking about another protest that is due to take place sometime soon.