Protesters Disrupt Traffic Around Midway, Later March Through Downtown
(CBS) – Laquan McDonald protesters tried a different strategy Friday, tying up traffic around Midway Airport as they continued criticizing Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
The demonstrators used their vehicles to block three lanes of traffic and then got out of their cars, CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports.
"We apologize for the inconvenience, but you have to call the FBI and tell them to investigate Mayor Rahm Emanuel," one protester told motorists.
For several minutes, travelers or those picking up loved ones didn't go anywhere.
One frustrated motorist said: "I totally understand. I sympathize, but we're innocent people didn't do anything … I just want to see my daughter."
"Everybody has to suffer. We have to redistribute the pain. If everybody don't suffer, then everybody don't care," protest organizer Willie Fleming countered.
Police eventually directed protesters to stay on the sidewalk -- or risk arrests.
Protesters say they'll return to Midway in the near future.
Later Friday, dozens of demonstrators marched through downtown Chicago, scene of previous protests. These marchers likewise disrupted traffic and at one point were in a standoff with police outside Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue.
CBS 2's Jeremy Ross reported, however, that most of the demonstrators were peaceful.
Police reported one arrest and said three other people had been ticketed. An officer suffered a broken wrist during a scuffle.
Demonstrators have continued calling for Emanuel's resignation since dash-cam video was released showing a white Chicago police officer fatally shooting a black teen, Laquan McDonald. Critics say city officials and local prosecutors sat on the tape for more than a year as part of a cover-up; officials deny that and say investigations were underway.
Jason Van Dyke, the officer who killed the teen, has been charged with murder.