Chicago Protesters Take To Downtown Streets, Cause Traffic Chaos
Chicago drivers are well aware that many things can cause traffic backups.
Congestion, accidents, construction just to name a few.
But Monday night, it was hundreds of protesters flooding onto Michigan Avenue in front of the Art Institute which snarled rush hour downtown traffic according to the Associated Press.
Whether you support the protesters or not, blocking traffic is not only an ineffective way of getting a point across (unless the goal is to anger drivers) but it is also dangerous for people to walk in front of moving vehicles as it could lead to hospitalization or even premature death.
Downtown drivers should be extra vigilant during these protests and watch out for unwary demonstrators walking in front of your car.
Ultimately, one person was arrested according to AP while other media outlets are reporting higher arrest totals.
Here’s the full AP story from St. Louis Today, “Hundreds of protesters take to Chicago streets.”
Sigh Lots of important issues need to be discussed. But this is not the right way to do it. During the Viet Nam War the first opposition to the War arose in older women. And then the “activists”, who did not look like the rest of us, began to protest. Soon it became “Unamerican” to oppose the war and the older women who had opposed the war started to “support the war”. A great many people believe that the Antiwar Activists and their techniques extended the War by several years and thousands of lives.
Sadly many American Political Activists engage in lemming like behavior. Two obvious examples, the Green Party supporters in the Melissa Bean/Joe Walsh race that decided to throw their vote away on the Green Party candidate. Walsh won by less than 500 votes. The Green Party candidate got 6000 votes. Would the Greens have been better served by a less than perfect Bean? You bet. Their act forced the whole democratic party to veer further to the right. In the longer term, the Green’s have done more to help the enemies of their causes then help their own cause… but it feels good..
Or the Critical Mass(holes) that have a good idea — more Bicycle Riding — but engage in tactics that make bicycle riding less safe and riders more reviled…. but it feels good.
Sort of like driving in bike lanes with your car. “It feels good, but is bad….”
David,
I always appreciate your insightful comments.
I am going to pass on the more political portions of your comments, despite the excellent historical context you present and go right to the Critical Mass thoughts you share.
Honestly, I’m torn on those guys. Sure, they’re obnoxious (on one hand) but it’s a kind of lighthearted pranksterism that I identify with–being an immature 13 year old at heart. It’s hard not to be charmed by the “Happy Fridays” and the general fun, upbeat attitude of the Mass riders. After getting caught in a Mass a few times, I feel I’ve learned to be more considerate of bike riders on the road.
But Critical Mass also is a pain in the ass for drivers as they do cause terrific traffic tie ups and inconvenience many pedestrians and drivers alike as they wantonly flout the law by their sheer numbers.
I could argue it either way I guess.
I get more pissed at arrogant bike riders (the minority of course) who think they should never have to stop for anyone–pedestrian or automobile–and never follow the rules of the road.