Photos: Chicago May Day March Exorcises Trump, Celebrates Diversity
By aaroncynic in News on May 2, 2016 2:44PM
Hundreds hit the streets Sunday afternoon for a march for immigrant and workers rights commemorating May Day, the international workers holiday. Demonstrators marched from Union Park on the Near West Side to Trump Tower, a site chosen to call out the Republican presidential frontrunner for his racist and divisive rhetoric.
Demonstrators sang, danced and chanted their way down Washington Avenue on their way to Trump Tower, with members of various labor unions joining them near the Haymarket memorial. There was a heavy police presence, which included a mounted unit that cordoned off access for about a block in every direction from Trump Tower; nearby, clergy members in the march exorcized an effigy of Donald Trump.
“We ask that you bring out the demons and demonic forces of our brother, Donald Trump,” spoke the lead priest. “We ask, oh gracious God, to take away the hatred, bigotry and racism and the forked speaking tongue that he’s had and replace it with a powerful tongue and care.”
Cook County Commissioner and former mayoral candidate Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia, who marched with demonstrators alongside 35th Ward alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa also denounced Trump.
“We gather here today to say that everyone is welcome in Chicago. Working people are what makes Chicago a world-class city, that we embrace all working class people,” said Garcia, who has campaigned for Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders. “We say no to hatred, we say no to Trump, and we say justice on May Day for everyone.”
Police interactions with the marchers at Union Park and Trump Tower were minimal. But at a smaller, separate march led by anarchists from Douglas Park to the financial district turned violent when demonstrators say police rushed in and attacked their group without warning. Sources tell Chicagoist that after marching past the Board of Trade on LaSalle Street, the group was penned in near a bus terminal, where police tackled and allegedly choked and hit several demonstrators, and ultimately arrested 19 people. At least one person was injured during the melee.
COPS CORNER Ⓐ MARCH (already on sidewalk), MULTIPLE ARRESTS, LaSalle/Madison#Chicago #m1chi #MayDay pic.twitter.com/sUtcbs2MPf
— Make America AntiFa (@MinkuAzad) May 1, 2016
Chicago police violently taking down dozens of #MayDay demonstrators after corning them behind a bus terminal pic.twitter.com/FaUip44zoc
— agitator in chief (@soit_goes) May 1, 2016