At Least Two Taken Into Custody After ‘Black Christmas’ Protesters Scuffle

Several hundred protesters against police killings of black men marched on Thursday along Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, calling for Mayor Rahm Emanuel to step down and aiming to disrupt Christmas Eve shopping in a glittering, upscale commercial area.

Almost 100 people marched on Christmas Eve along a bustling shopping district in downtown Chicago in a protest dubbed “Black Christmas” against police shooting of a black teenager.

Community activists are calling on elected officials to join them.

Robson, who was among the protesters blocking shoppers from entering H&M, told Xinhua that (Chicago) mayor Rahm Emanuel should receive the message that police murders should not be allowed.

Recordings of Chicago police radio traffic surrounding the fatal shooting of a black teenager by a white officer show at least one responding officer asked for a Taser and – given that squad-car video lacks audio – offer a partial glimpse of officers’ discussions as events unfolded.

Chicago has seen a steady stream of protests since late November, when the city released the video of Van Dyke, who is white, shooting McDonald, aged 17.

The city released the video of McDonald’s shooting last month, sparking a new wave of protests.

“The biggest demonstration was the day after Thanksgiving on Michigan Avenue, as protesters locked arms to prevent shoppers from getting in and out of stores on one of the busiest shopping days of the year”, David says.

Protester Brother Hall, of the Chicago neighborhood of Bronzeville said, “Rahm is arrogant enough to not resign”.

In April, 25-year-old black man Freddie Gray was arrested in Baltimore, Maryland, after police officers stopped him on the street and found a knife in his pocket. Yesterday, Black Lives Matter protesters blocked two terminals at the Minneapolis airport and circulation at the Mall of America and San Francisco airport.

Still, Mayfield said as she hurried down Michigan Avenue with a suitcase, “I think they’re making a statement; I think that’s good”. The city’s population is about one-third African American. “In addition to preventative measures, equipping police officers with Naloxone has proven to be a first-line defense in saving lives to opioid overdose”.

“Now we all have to be in fear”, said another.