Masked protesters march through Bridgeport, Canaryville and Back of the Yards to decry police brutality. The protesters repeatedly ignored police orders to stay off the streets, since they did not have a parade permit, and they also got into shouting matches with a number of local residents. (Credit: CBS)
Reporting Mike Parker
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CHICAGO (CBS) – With the NATO summit five days away, demonstrations are becoming more intense.
CBS 2’s Mike Parker reports on a so-called “anti-capitalist militant march” against police brutality Tuesday evening. Although this demonstration was not directly related to the NATO summit, it was one of many events protesters scheduled for this week to take advantage of the growing national and international focus on the summit.
Protesters shouted obscene slogans to decry police brutality, chanting, “From Chicago to Greece, f*** the police,” as they marched through the Back of the Yards, Canaryville and Bridgeport neighborhoods.
They began their protest march at 51st and Halsted streets, and headed north to the Deering District station at 31st and Halsted.
Many of the protesters wore bandanas or masks to shield their identities. Because they didn’t have a parade permit, they were forced to stick to the sidewalks, although several times protesters roared out onto Halsted and blocked traffic.
Police officers on bicycles used a wedge maneuver to funnel protesters back off the street.
About an hour-and-a-half later, as they ended their march, dozens of police – some donning riot helmets – waited outside the Deering District station, in case of any problems.
The demonstrators chanted “We’re here, we’re peaceful,” but there was trouble when a local resident, who challenged the protesters, was hurt in a scuffle with a masked protester. He was apparently cut on the head, but declined to press charges.
Bridgeport residents were not happy with the demonstrators.
“I pay taxes, I pay all my taxes,” one local resident said, as a protester screamed at him, “then you fund NATO. You fund murder.”
The protesters continued north on Halsted Street after stopping at the Deering District police station, eventually making their way to the UIC campus at Taylor and Halsted streets.
Despite the physical confrontation between one Bridgeport resident and a protester, police played it cool during the march. No arrests had been made as of 9:30 p.m.
