By Alexandra Blockton
ablockton@lc.edu

Due to overwhelming responses from the violence held at the “March For Justice” that occurred in Chicago, Illinois on May, 30th, 2020. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has no other options but to put the entire city on a curfew hold until further notice. 

According to the Chicago Tribune in an article “Mayor imposes curfew after chaotic scenes unfold in Loop, Near North Side, as protestors clash with police during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.” On May 31, 2020, at 7:56 a.m., by Jeremy Gorner, Madeline Buckley, and Paige Fry. 

Mayor Lightfoot held a news conference shortly after 8:00 p.m. saying, “the demonstration had “evolved into criminal conduct” as she imposed a curfew on the city: from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. “until further notice.”

This act was put into effect from all of the altercations that occurred from the looting throughout the city as well as multiple other acts of violence. Lots of individuals were injured, arrested, and hurt behind this fatal matter. 

“Violators of the curfew will be given a chance to disperse and then they will be arrested. The order exempts essential workers,” said Lightfoot. 

There was a high estimate of nearly 3,000 people of all races and ethnic backgrounds protesting in the “March For Justice,” which was an event in memory of an African-American male named George Floyd who was murdered on May 25, 2020,  by four police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This tragic death hit throughout the United States urging many Americans to protest because of the brutality the police have caused throughout the years to American citizens, the majority being African-American citizens. In the midst of the protest, many individuals in crowds traveled their way onto Lake Shore Drive and completely shut down many parts of the roadway. 

“I’ve seen protestors hurl projectiles at our police department…bottles of water, urine and Lord knows what else,” said Lightfoot.

The protestors marched throughout the entire day while consistently violent acts took place!

Chicago police Superintendent David Brown was also on hand saying, “officers had many things thrown at them, including Molotov cocktails. “We will be taking you into custody when you destroy property or burn cars,” Brown said. “That’s just facts!”

But the later it got in the day the violence ruptured even more by citizens aiming to burn police cars and constantly attacking officers.

At least one officer had “broken bones” and several injuries, Brown said. He added several buildings had been vandalized, windows broken and police responded with pepper spray and “arrests to prevent looting.”

Throughout the days, there are still many protests taking place in Chicago, Illinois as well as throughout the United States seeking for justice in this hideous crime committed by four Minneapolis Police Officers which was videotaped by a person on standby and posted on multiple social media accounts for the entire world to view.