Chicago mayor-elect Brandon Johnson: 'Not constructive to demonize youth starved of opportunities'
Hundreds of teenagers flood into downtown Chicago, smashing car windows, prompting police response
Hundreds of teenagers flooded into Downtown Chicago on Saturday night, smashing car windows, trying to get into Millennium Park, and prompting a major police response. A woman whose car was smashed by people jumping on the windshield said her husband was beaten as he sat in the driver's seat. Police were escorting tourists and others back to their cars in the Millennium Park garage.
CHICAGO - After three teenagers were shot amidst two rowdy scenes in Chicago over the weekend, Chicago mayor-elect Brandon Johnson said that while the behavior is "unacceptable," it is also "not constructive to demonize young people who have been starved of opportunities."
On Friday night, hundreds of young people went to 31st Street Beach, running around and lighting a fire. They brazenly chased police cars and smashed a window on a squad car. A 14-year-old was shot nearby.
On Saturday night, hundreds of teenagers went to Chicago's Loop. They tried to get into Millennium Park and ran up and down Michigan Avenue. They jumped on cars and a CTA bus. One woman told FOX 32 Chicago that people jumped on her windshield, smashed it, and then attacked her husband as he sat inside the vehicle.
By the end of Saturday night, two teenagers had been shot. Chicago police said six juveniles and nine adults were arrested.
2 shot as hundreds of teens crowded downtown Chicago prompting police response
The streets of downtown Chicago right outside Millennium Park flooded with teens getting rowdy. Two teens were shot as people gathered. Car windows were smashed and a man riding in a car downtown was injured as people jumped on cars.
"In no way do I condone the destructive activity we saw in the Loop and lakefront this weekend," Johnson said in a statement. "It is unacceptable and has no place in our city. However, it is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities."
Johnson said there needs to be a comprehensive approach to these sorts of problems.
"Our city must work together to create spaces for youth to gather safely and responsibly, under adult guidance and supervision, to ensure that every part of our city remains welcome for both residents and visitors. This is one aspect of my comprehensive approach to improve public safety and make Chicago livable for everyone."