Just Standing: When Peace Is Met With Force

We were just standing.

This was after the huge “no kings” protest and march, planned by organizations which work with the police. A group of protestors, about 70 people, still wanted to march and protest. Once the organizers left, it was fair game I guess.

They kettled us at Daley Plaza for over an hour, refusing to let us march even on the sidewalk. They said it was because the “protest permit” had expired. You do not need a permit to protest. They told us to leave so they could open up the roads, yet they blocked us in, refused to move, and shut down additional roads around us. Where is the logic?

I asked an officer “If I pass, will you arrest me?”, which he replied “Well, *I* won’t arrest you” and laughed. We found an opening and decided to regroup at an Immigration Center. This Immigration Center has been used by ICE to kidnap people going to and from appointments.

We stood out front until the police finally caught up. We linked arms and held hands, playing music and chanting. We were just standing there. There were minors and children in the crowd.

We were met by batons, force, and arrests. I was struck multiple times in the chest from an officer’s baton, pushed onto the ground, had people shoved on top of me. Anytime someone tried to stand up or help someone up they were either hit, shoved onto someone, or pushed back onto the ground. We could barely move. They said it was to get us out of the road so we wouldn’t blocked traffic, but they went ahead and blocked the road themselves. There were only about 60-70 of us, and easily double the amount of officers.

I believe 5 people were arrested.

WHO DO YOU SERVE? WHO DO YOU PROTECT?

Together, we stand strong. The system must be fragile if people standing together is that big of a threat.

Stay Safe. Stay Informed. Stay Strong🌱