Ground hog day came early to Chicago this year. Three weeks ago, pro-Palestinian demonstrators mounted a rally outside of Senator Richard J. Durbin’s residence at 3460 North Lake Shore Drive. Senator Durbin was reportedly returning to his condo when he unexpectedly encountered the demonstrators. He briefly spoke with them.

The demonstrators returned today, hoping that Senator Durbin would show his shadow again (despite the overcast skies). I asked one of the organizers if the senator had indicated whether he would meet with the demonstrators this time. The organizer indicated that the group had no idea whether the senator would make an appearance.

To make a long story short: Over the course of what became a four-hour demonstration, Senator Durbin was nowhere to be seen. Except for the shutdown of DuSable Lake Shore Drive (DLSD), today’s effort followed what has now become a tired formula: strident speeches, endless chants, and lots of standing around. No new ground was covered.

But today’s story is not about the pro-Palestinian demonstrators. It is about how Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Administration has castrated the police department. It is apparent that an order from on high has come down: Avoid confrontations with the demonstrators; avoid arrests; and avoid controversy. A staff member in one alderperson’s office told me that different mayors develop different policies regarding public demonstrations.

In speaking with the organizers about a number of these demonstrations, I have learned that nobody obtains permits, nor does anyone give CPD advance notice as to march routes. For that matter, I have yet to talk to anyone who knows if and when permits are even required—that includes a member of an alderman’s staff, and members of the National Lawyers Guild. Because the organizers use social media to announce the demonstrations, CPD is nevertheless aware of the starting point—usually Grant Park at Ida B. Wells Drive or Jane Byrne Plaza—permitting them to pre-position officers and other assets. By and large, the demonstrators do whatever they want to do with little regard for the public at large.

During the 22 pro-Palestinian demonstrations that I have covered in the Chicago area, I have repeatedly seen senior police officers conferring with the organizers about logistics, and then using walkie-talkies and phones to communicate with officers stationed at strategic locations. CPD is largely improvising. Notably, the relationship between the organizers and CPD officials is cordial—plenty of smiles, and often a hand on a shoulder in an apparent effort to keep tensions low.

To my surprise, there was no CPD presence outside of Senator Durbin’s residence two hours ahead of today’s 1:00 PM start time. I returned shortly before the rally began to find a small contingent of maybe 15 or 20 officers, including Glen Brooks, the Director of Community Policing, who is a familiar presence at the pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Near North District Commander Jon Hein was absent today, presumably because Senator Durbin’s residence is in the Town Hall District.

Before the speeches began, Brooks asked me and another photographer to move to the corner of inner Lake Shore Drive and Hawthorne, hoping that our presence would draw the demonstrators away from the driveway outside of Senator Durbin’s apartment building. While doubting our magnetic attraction, we complied with his request, shrugging our shoulders. Later in the day, CPD’s onsite media officer made a similar request as we stood on DLSD—could we head south? He was hoping that the demonstrators who had been standing at the same location for over two hours would follow the Pied Pipers with the cameras. I told him, “You greatly overestimate our powers.”

CPD seriously miscalculated its manpower needs. The portion of the inner Drive running past Senator Durbin’s apartment building offers the easiest access to DLSD out of the 5-mile stretch running north from Michigan Avenue to Hollywood. Only a narrow six-foot strip of land separates inner from the outer drive, with a knee-high metal barrier offering the only obstacle.

When the demonstration was announced on Friday, I immediately assumed that the organizers planned to shut down DLSD, as they had in November when they demonstrated at Buckingham Fountain. In talking on Friday night with someone about today’s event, I worked out how the demonstrators might overcome the impediment of dangerous traffic on DSLD, where speeds can reach 70 miles per hour. I surmised that the only way that the demonstrators could succeed is if they enlisted several drivers to head south on the DLSD, slowing to a stop when they reached 3460 North Lake Shore Drive.

The organizers and I think alike, because that is exactly how they staged the shutdown, offering further proof that it was planned from the outset. If I could see foresee the future, surely CPD, with all its resources, could do so. How the organizers coordinated the ‘pace’ cars is unclear, but there were quite a few cars parked on DLSD behind the ‘pace’ cars. Those cars were driven by people wearing keffiyehs and carrying Palestinian flags, so they were likely privy to the plan.

According to a rumor that circulated throughout the afternoon, CPD had arrested two people, although it is unclear why or where. Several speakers demanded the release of whoever was arrested before the group would move off DLSD. Another photojournalist told me that a snafu had developed when one of those arrested was moved to another police station and was awaiting legal representation, thereby delaying the demonstrator’s release. Whatever the circumstances, since when does mob rule rather than CPD, judges, and the Cook County State’s Attorney determine who remains in custody?

One thing is for sure: With more manpower, CPD could have prevented the takeover, or at least impeded the effort. Specifically, CPD could have used bicycle cops to establish a police barricade along the east side of inner Lake Shore Drive. Later in the day, a phalanx of tow trucks appeared, but those tow trucks could have been pre-positioned earlier to remove the cars that had slowed to a stop and created the shutdown.

CPD, however, is not directing the response. It is obvious that the Johnson Administration has issued hands-off orders, which is why the southbound lanes of DuSable Lake Shore Drive were paralyzed for nearly three hours. Somehow CPD convinced the organizers to vacate the northbound lanes after 90 minutes, although at times traffic in the northbound lanes slowed to a halt even after the lanes were initially reopened. In the interim, traffic backed up for as far as the eye could see.

One hour into the shutdown, I saw drivers in the northbound lanes maneuvering their cars so that they could turn around and exit the wrong way onto the Belmont northbound entrance ramp, creating a dangerous situation. No CPD officers oversaw the maneuvers.

I also saw two ambulances and a fire truck with lights flashing and sirens blaring trying to circumvent the clogged traffic on inner Lake Service Drive. The demonstrators had endangered the people who needed medical attention and Fire Department support, showing their contempt for the public.

And what about all the people stuck in traffic? Ever hop in your car for a ten-minute ride home, thinking I’ll wait to pee (or defecate) until I get home. Lesson 1: Always carry a bottle in your car when driving in Chicago.

Not so humorous if you had an afternoon or evening work shift. Even if your boss didn’t fire you, did you get paid for the three hours of missed work? Mayor Johnson and the City’s Progressives are so concerned about minimum wage, paid sick leave, and unionization, yet Mayor Johnson’s Administration showed no concern today for workers in transit to their jobs.

And what about family members who missed the exchange of vows at a Saturday afternoon wedding at one of the large downtown hotels? Or the parents who were two hours late in picking their kids up after sports practice or a movie? How did Uber price a ride that went from 15 minutes to three hours?

I saw angry drivers confronting police officers, who basically said, “What can I do?” Adding insult to injury, the demonstrators were chanting about their power to “shut shit down.” Several speakers told stranded drivers that if they don’t like being stranded, they should contact their elective representatives. Several alderpersons will undoubtedly receive phone calls Monday morning, but not about the situation in Gaza. Why the demonstrators think inconveniencing people furthers their cause is beyond me. When the logjam finally broke, I heard several drivers scream “F*ck You” as they sped past the demonstrators.

The organizers should revaluate a favorite chant—”CPD KKK, CPD KKK, CPD KKK.” It is totally uncalled for and unjustified. The Chicago Police Department has been nothing but gracious and accommodating during the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that I have attended. The police: (i) block traffic so that the marchers can safely march; (ii) generally agree to the march routes proposed by the organizers; and (iii) stand respectfully to the side when not needed. Even when demonstrators have blocked access to retail establishments on Michigan Avenue, the officers in front of the stores have taken a hands-off approach, simply trying to maintain order. The organizers would be well advised to take the Ukrainian community’s approach—always loudly thanking the CPD at the end of rallies and marches.

Once again, I need to call out Mayor Johnson’s and his allies’ hypocrisy. Do they think the police officer on the frontlines is Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, or Elon Musk? The officers I encounter are public servants doing a difficult, at times dangerous, and thankless job for a living wage. Nobody is getting rich. Yes, there are bad officers who warrant punishment, but the same can be said of every other profession.

As for the Johnson Administration, its approach to demonstrations mirrors its approach to the ongoing epidemic of armed robberies and carjacking that have plagued Chicago since the pandemic came to an end. It has ordered CPD not to pursue the crews who often commit seven or eight armed robberies within a 60-to-90-minute period. CWBChicago routinely posts articles reporting that a desk sergeant had ordered officers not to pursue a crew despite witnessing a robbery in progress. Too dangerous.

Moreover, according to Mayor Johnson, young criminals—those under 25—do not have fully developed mental capacities, so should they be caught, they should receive ‘second chances’ even when they used long guns or automatic weapons during their repeated rampages, often beating and pistol whipping the compliant victims. In short, the Johnson Administration is willing to tolerate violent crime as just another “dynamic.” The rights of criminals trump everyone else’s rights to move freely about the city.

Similarly, the rights of all Chicagoans give way to the rights of demonstrators who takeover city streets and highways. Regrettably, the Johnson Administration is about to learn the same lesson that it has learned during the migrant crisis—Progressive policies often have unintended consequences. The mayor proudly proclaimed that Chicago is a sanctuary city, one that is welcoming—”the soul of Chicago,” using the mayor’s favorite phrase. Yet, $400 million in city funds are now being diverted to care for the migrants, with some of the mayor’s prime constituencies furious that those funds are not being used to meet their own needs for affordable housing, mental health services, and other city services.

Mayor Johnson may not believe that inconveniencing Chicagoans on Saturday afternoons is a big deal. But come the Democratic National Convention in August, the chickens will undoubtedly come home to roost. Allowing demonstrators to repeatedly shut down Michigan Avenue and now Lake Shore Drive is setting a dangerous precedent.

Over the last two decades, we have seen radicals attempt to violently disrupt international events, creating concerns whenever there are major events anywhere in the United States. Mayor Johnson has signaled to these groups that Chicago countenances disruptive behavior. He may come to rue that perception this summer when demonstrators block the streets leading to the United Center; attempt takeovers of hotels hosting delegates; and storm the United Center. The national media spotlight will be on Chicago, with the entire country learning in the immortal words of Mayor Richard J. Daley, that Mayor Johnson “isn’t there to create disorder, [but] to preserve disorder.” Will Mayor Johnson lead the negotiations in the street with the demonstrators who are blocking delegate access to the United Center?

To be crystal clear for any pro-Palestinian demonstrators who stumble upon this article: My comments are not directed at the merits of your grievances, many of which are legitimate. Everyone is horrified both by the October 7 attack by Hamas and by the death and destruction unleashed by Israel in Gaza.

Where I part company is with the demonstrators’ tactics. Inconveniencing people is not changing minds. It is the height of arrogance. Instead of shutting down DLSD today, why didn’t the 250 demonstrators converge on Michigan Avenue, with signs depicting the suffering in Gaza and buckets where passersby could make contributions to Doctors Without Borders or another appropriate aid organization. Not only would the pro-Palestinian forces have increased public awareness and sympathy, but they most likely would have raised thousands of dollars in relief money. In my experience, people open their wallets and hearts when they see wounded and starving kids, but I doubt the thousands of people stranded on DLSD would have contributed had the demonstrators tried collecting funds from them as they sat in their cars.

In concluding, I hope those behind these weekly demonstrations rethink their tactics. Neither the Chicago Tribune, nor the Chicago Sun-Times covered today’s event. Four television stations sent cameramen. Only WGN and ABC News 7 posted reports to their websites. ABC News 7 devoted 19 seconds to the story, and WGN devoted 2:19 minutes to the story, which included a serious error when it initially reported that thousands of demonstrators had shutdown DLSD. I and another photographer put the number at 250. Crowd estimates are admittedly difficult, but WGN’s error was egregious, most likely attributable to a writer who was not present. [Post Script: I contacted WGN about the error. On Sunday morning, the online article had been corrected.]

In sum, the media are now largely ignoring the rallies and events, which is why the organizers might want to freshen things up a bit with new, more constructive approaches.

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