Jul 13

Jul 13 Normalized

Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

When I left for Jane Byrne Plaza at 12:15 PM, the air was hot and humid. With a few exceptions, the pro-Palestinian forces have taken to streets every Saturday afternoon since early October. In recent months, the attendance numbers have taken a downward trajectory, which is not surprising. We are at the height of summer. Many of the demonstrators might be of Palestinian heritage, but they still have kids who are in little leagues, on soccer teams, and attending birthday parties. The parents also have their own interests—maybe fixing up a car, taking a motorcycle ride in the countryside, or attending a wedding. Life goes on.

Given the heat today, I wasn’t expecting a large crowd. In total, there were maybe 150 to 200 peaceful demonstrators. In effect, they were placeholders for the thousands who showed up last November and December at the early marches and rallies. Next weekend, the organizers will likely schedule another demonstration—maybe at Ida B. Wells and Michigan Avenue, in front of the offices of the Israeli Consulate General at 500 West Madison, or in Federal Plaza, or they might simply return to Jane Byrne Plaza. In all likelihood, the numbers attending will be no more than a couple of hundred (unless there is a major development), with some of today’s demonstrators absent because, well, it is summer and there are other things to do on a Saturday.

Much credit, however, must be given to the core group of organizers. They have made sure that each Saturday the Palestinian Community has had an opportunity to express their concerns. Notably, I have noticed several of the organizers missing on recent Saturdays. They, too, have families and other events in their lives.

As with every demonstration, there were several noteworthy incidents, speeches, or visuals today. First, a tall man appeared on the corner of Pearson and Michigan. He peeled off his tee-shirt, and then started yelling about how he hated Jews. He recognized just how provocative his performance was, commenting “There, I said it.” I had not seen him at any of the many pro-Palestinian demonstrations that I have attended. To my eye, he was not part of today’s demonstration. He disappeared quickly after his outburst. Most significantly, he gave off the aura of a half-wit; somebody that no one would want to discuss politics with.

Over the last nine months, there has been much discussion whether the pro-Palestinian demonstrators are anti-Semitic. For the record, no one applauded the man, nor joined him by making similar statements. As I read the faces in the crowd, the demonstrators were shocked and not pleased by this lone wolf’s performance.

Second, at the pro-Palestinian march on Independence Day along Michigan Avenue, someone threw a can from a hi-rise condominium unit into the crowd as people marched along Michigan Avenue. I saw the remnants of the can, but not the toss. Had the can hit someone, the person would have been seriously injured or killed—at least that’s what one police officer told me. Today, as the group passed the building, several police officers stood in the street, looking upward until all the marchers had safely passed the building. “To Serve and Protect.”

Third, at the turnaround point on Michigan Avenue, the marchers stopped. One of the organizers announced that a man from Gaza wanted to speak to the demonstrators. The man indicated that this was his first public speech, and therefore, he was nervous. To my ear, he was a natural orator, but it was the story that he recounted that hit everyone right between the eyes. The man had a friend in Gaza who came to the speaker’s home with his a tale.

The friend apparently was a medical professional who had just delivered a baby. The mother had lost both legs and arms in bombings, so as the woman delivered her baby, the medical professional asked himself whether he should kill the mother and baby. He wondered who would raise the baby. According to the speaker, his friend never indicated whether he had killed the mother or child, but the medical professional was shaken, knowing that he had entertained such thoughts. This single incident aptly illustrates the horrors that the people of Gaza have faced daily for the last nine months—that is not to minimize the horrors that Israeli civilians faced on October 7 when Hamas kicked off this round of never-ending hostilities between the two warring tribes.

Fourth, several children gleefully took the microphone as they stood on the flatbed of the Dodge RAM that regularly carries the speakers through the streets. The kids took turns leading the marchers in chants. “Free, Free Palestine.” Very cute, but at the same time, an indication that the kids are watching and listening. If the Israeli’s were smart, they would recognize that fact. Their response to October 7th is creating the next generation of adversaries.

Fifth, a representative from the National Lawyers Guild was present, monitoring the demonstration and march for possible civil rights denials by CPD or other authorities. I encountered him several times. During each one, his was head down as he looked at his cellphone, maybe at his Instagram feed. His nonchalant attitude is another of just how normalized the Saturday pro-Palestinian demonstrations have become.

Sixth, and finally, July traditionally is tourist season, with many families from around the Midwest making an annual pilgrimage. There were people on the street, but Michigan Avenue gave off a sedentary vibe, which shouldn’t be surprising given the high retail vacancy rate. As we distance ourselves from the pandemic, I suspect fewer families are making return trips to Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson should be concerned, if for no other reason than the loss of revenue from property and retail sales taxes.

After a week in Milwaukee at the Republican National Convention, I probably won’t be attending next Saturday’s pro-Palestinian demonstration. But there almost certainly will be one. The organizers might want to cut back to one or two a month. Visually, the demonstrations are now counterproductive.

[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]