It really shouldn’t be a surprise to Chicagoans that the streets are shut down and law enforcement is everywhere, this is what happens during a political party convention. And certainly when tens of thousands of their wacko comrades will be showing up and creating problems
New DNC security measures in downtown Chicago have some feeling “like a police state”
With street closures and restrictions already in place at both the United Center and McCormick Place ahead of the Democratic National Convention, new security measures that went into effect this weekend have left parts of the downtown area in a state of lockdown.
Residents and businesses were still trying to navigate the new restrictions on Sunday, after large security fences went up along sidewalks in parts of the Loop, Gold Coast, and Magnificent Mile – with a handful of downtown streets also closed off.
Unlike those closures announced in advance around the United Center and McCormick Place, the new restrictions downtown were not formally announced until Saturday morning, after they were already in place, blindsiding many who live and work in the area.
Well, yeah, they either didn’t want to give the wackos advanced warning or didn’t realize how many would show up
The heightened security in and around the Magnificent Mile, Gold Coast, and other parts of downtown all went into effect this weekend due to what police call “DNC activity.”
The Bidens, Clintons, and Obamas as well as Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are staying in downtown hotels during the convention, prompting the security hot zones.
Street closures downtown include (they’re in the story)
People who live and work in the area also should be prepared to show identification to gain access to certain buildings.
Wait, what? Free citizens will have to show identification to go to their home and/or work? That’s weird. We’ve been told that identification is unnecessary in order to vote, but, it is to go home?
“Wow, this is like crazy. A lot of important people are gonna be here, and we are happy that they’re gonna be safe. But, yeah, it does feel like a police state with all the big walls going up and everything. It’s a little crazy,” Michael Tenniswood said.
Walls, eh? We’ve also been told they do not work.
Read: Chicago Residents Feel Like They Are In A “Police State” »