CHICAGO, IL – In a matter of seconds, a skateboard became a weapon.
In a recent press release, Chicago Police said 25-year-old Jeremey Johnson hit a uniformed CPD officer in the head “multiple times” during a “planned protest” on August 14th.
Jeremey Johnson, 25, has been charged with felony aggravated battery to a peace officer after repeatedly striking a #ChicagoPolice officer in the head with a skateboard at yesterday’s downtown protest. https://t.co/OChnGsGmBd pic.twitter.com/CF4Y6gtCpO
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) August 16, 2020
Less than 48-hours later, he faced a judge for a charge of felony aggravated battery of a peace officer.
More than two dozen other people also face charges tied to the weekend protests in Chicago. In that same three day stretch, 17 police officers were hurt while trying to protect businesses and homes, and restore peace to a city that is currently a powder keg of racial tension.
But, not to worry – These are “peaceful” protests. Just ask the mayor.
From the safety of a television studio far from the destruction on the Magnificent Mile, and the shattered storefronts on Jewelers Row, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called the “vast majority” of protests “peaceful.”
In an interview with CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, August 16th, Mayor Lightfoot said:
“What we’ve also seen is people who have embedded themselves in these seemingly peaceful protests and have come for a fight.”
It’s a bitter pill to swallow for Chicago residents who’ve been locked inside their homes and high-rise apartments for weekends on end, as self-described protesters wreak havoc on the city.
Business owners boarded up in June, hoping to stave off the destruction inflicted on shops and restaurants already reeling from the financial hit of the pandemic. The wave of terror has yet to pass.
Last Sunday, August 9th, those so-called protesters bashed through the windows at 5 South Wabash, stealing from family owned jewelry stores.
They call themselves protesters.
The more accurate title would be criminals.
In a Chicago Tribune article, a columnist quotes BLM organizer Ariel Atkins:
“I don’t care if someone decides to loot a Gucci or a Macy’s or a Nike store, because that makes sure that person eats. This is reparations. Anything they wanted to take, they can take it because these businesses have insurance.”
Criminals are holding the city hostage under the guise of social justice. They’re stealing from retailers and calling it reparations. They’re injuring police officers and then receiving praise from Chicago’s top office for being mostly “peaceful.”
In that same Sunday interview, discussing the major looting in the city, Mayor Lightfoot said:
“We’re working with our federal partners to identify exactly who the ring leaders are. We’re actively pursuing cases against others. We’re determined to make sure we get to the bottom of this and bring those responsible for this organized crime effort to justice.”
Chicago Agitators Attacked Cops, Dragged Policewoman Along Ground While Partner Struggled To Save Her https://t.co/DiONicXTTV
— Melissa Tate (@TheRightMelissa) August 18, 2020
She is painting a confusing picture of the supposed motive for the repeat crimes.
In one breath, she blamed the looting and attacks on police on a few bad actors who’ve infiltrated a larger group of pacifists, saying they’ve “embedded themselves in these seemingly peaceful protests and come for a fight.”
In another, she called it an “organized crime effort.”
The key takeaway: Mayor Lightfoot is out of her league in a city run by politicians, now seemingly bowing to regularly scheduled chaos.
Armed with indignation and fueled with misinformation, there’s no finish line for a group that will point to nearly any incident as justification to rob and riot.
It began in June with the in-custody death of Minnesota man George Floyd, and continues now with a Chicago area shooting involving a 20-year-old man.
USA Today reported the most recent wave of violent attacks on police, labeled as “protests”, followed the spread of incorrect information on social media.
According to the news outlet, Chicago Police Department Superintendent David Brown said officers shot and wounded a 20-year-old man who shot at them first. A Facebook video later circulated falsely claiming police had shot and killed a 15-year-old boy.
The city burned again, and that’s all it took: a false Facebook post.
Until political leaders like Mayor Lightfoot stand-up to these looters and criminals, and label them exactly as they are, there is no end in sight.
In the meantime, the protesters should know they are actually campaigning for a class of politicians who won’t allow lawlessness. Their shirts read “BLM” but their actions promote a heightened push for voters to “Make America Great Again.”
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