Jul 24

Jul 24 Sunday Bonus

Demonstrations, Public Declarations, Street

Today, I headed downtown for the Ukrainian community’s demonstration against Russian terrorism. As the bus exited DuSable Lake Shore Drive, I noticed two police cars outside the Louis Vuitton store at Michigan and Walton (across from the Drake Hotel). Hmmm, had there been another smash and grab robbery at one of Michigan Avenue’s luxury emporiums?

I got off the bus one stop early because I had time to spare. Lo and behold: another demonstration. Eight to 10 people were protesting Louis Vuitton for continuing to sell products containing animal fur. I don’t know if the demonstrators were affiliated with PETA, but their signage certainly suggested that their sympathies with it. The sidewalk out front bristled with colored-chalk scribblings. I’ve been seeing a lot of slogans in yellow, blue, and pink lately. While most of the demonstrators had bullhorns, the group was relatively quiet.

As might be expected, most passersby ignored the group—either entering the store or continuing on their journey, without giving much apparent thought to the plight of animals. One woman did flip her middle finger at several of those holding signs. I am not sure she held contrary views; she just seemed annoyed that anyone was demonstrating about anything.

In my imaginary book on how to stage rallies and protests, I now need to add a chapter on signage. The woman holding aloft the green sign should learn basic graphic design principles. As you can see, it is virtually impossible to read her plea unless you are very close. The alternating green-striped bars camouflage the type-font.

In that same book, there will be a chapter on staking out turf. Had I been the group’s leader, I would have positioned everyone on the corner, so that photographers could frame a wider shot with Louis Vuitton branding and signage visible. Standing directly in front of the store’s entrance, as this group did, allows for very little space between busy Michigan Avenue and the store facade for a photographer to create an establishing shot. But it probably didn’t matter today. I was the only photographer on the scene.

After about 10 minutes, I moved on. Four hours later, when I found myself back in front of the store waiting for the bus home, the group had gone. I did ask one of the security guards whether any red paint had been thrown, as occasionally happens at animal-rights demonstrations. “Nope.” The event was peaceful and uneventful, with the demonstrators having left around 2:00 PM. I was not surprised given the overall demeanor of this particular group of demonstrators.

I do wonder whether this was a one-off protest, or whether I will be seeing these folks on a regular basis. Time will tell.

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