Here Comes the Provocations

These are the ones looking for a fight and making sure they get one:

• Chicago’s run of peaceful rallies outside the Democratic National Convention came to an end Tuesday night when a group of protesters marched into a line of police, setting off a violent scrum on Madison Street outside one of the city’s major commuter rail stations. The protesters walked directly into a large group of police officials, four officers deep, around 7:30 p.m. The officers began to push them the other way and yelled, “Move back, move back.” Scuffles began to break out, and officers wearing helmets moved into the crowd.

  Video showed officers overwhelming some of the protesters, pushing them to the ground in an effort to secure the chaotic scene. Afterward, the demonstrators began to move east on Madison toward Canal Street, where hundreds of additional officers were waiting.

  A police supervisor eventually declared it an “unlawful assembly.” “This is an unpermitted event,” a supervisor declared on a bullhorn. “I am giving you a lawful order to disperse. If you do not disperse, you will be placed into custody by the Chicago Police Department.”

  Police could also be seen handing out pepper spray. It all happened near Ogilvie Transportation Center, where the demonstrators gathered to protest the Israeli consulate. Officers also allowed the group to march south toward Union Station.

  [...] A Chicago Sun-Times photographer witnessed police detain more than two dozen people throughout the night. A law enforcement source said eight people had been arrested as of 9:08 p.m. They were being transported to the Area 3 police headquarters at Belmont and Western avenues, where a defunct courtroom is being used to streamline mass arrest cases.

And as posted below, Crimesha will drop all charges shortly. Larritorious would be better off authorizing the Gas Teams and LRAD deployment, just to save the coppers wear and tear on their uniforms.

Stay safe.