Accusations fly between police and protesters one day after violent clash injured dozens
By Paige Fry and Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas
Chicago Tribune |
Aug 16, 2020 at 8:52 PM
Violent clashes Saturday between protesters and Chicago police were followed on Sunday by news conferences, the circulation of numerous videos from the scene and a barrage of social media posts blaming the opposing side.
The city’s top cop blamed “agitators†for “hijacking†a demonstration and protesters blamed officers for violating their rights and blocking their march, hitting them with batons. Mayor Lori Lightfoot seemed to align herself with the Police Department, while other politicians signed a statement saying they stood with protesters, alleging officers “kettled, pepper sprayed, and beat demonstrators — some of them as young as 17.â€
Hundreds of protesters had gathered in Millennium Park about 4 p.m. Saturday in what began as a call to defund Chicago police and divert the money to the South and West sides — issues that have dominated demonstrations in Chicago and across the country since the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis. The demonstration was organized by GoodKids MadCity, Blck Rising, Chicago Freedom School, Fuerte, March For Our Lives Chicago and Increase the Peace.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-downtown-protests-violent-20200816-v7yrehiibnbkvfpqxsijgz4cme-story.html
