Politics
Snelling Praises Chicago Police Department’s Response to 1st Protest: ‘Hope for Same Outcome’
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling discusses plans for a rally and march down Michigan Avenue on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Heather Cherone / WTTW News)
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling Monday praised his officers’ response to the first protest designed to send a message to Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party, saying the march and rally were entirely peaceful.
“Our officers responded exactly the way that we trained them,” Snelling said. “To respect First Amendment activity.”
Snelling praised organizers for working with him and other department leaders.
“There was mutual respect there,” Snelling said. “We didn’t have any incidents.”
The first of several planned large protests started Sunday evening in the shadow of Trump Tower at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive with a rally before taking over southbound Michigan Avenue and marching to Grant Park, the site of the clashes between the Chicago Police and anti-Vietnam War protesters during the 1968 DNC.
Hundreds of officers, most on bicycles and none in riot gear, lined the march route. Snelling supervised the march, as did several high-ranking commanders.
CPD is prepared for four more days of large protests, Snelling said.
“We hope for the exact same outcome,” Snelling said.
Chicago police officers did an excellent job, Snelling said.
A 23-year-old woman was arrested during the march for defacement of public property and obstructing a police officer, Snelling said. Court records obtained by WTTW News identify her as Briggs Montgomery Le Mon, of Cedar Hills, Utah. Le Mon fled from police and had to be tackled by officers, records show.
While officers were arresting Le Mon, Christopher Enterline, 28, of Chicago, attempted to intervene and damaged CPD-issued bicycles. He was also charged with defacement of public property and obstructing a police officer, according to court records.
Le Mon was not part of the march, Snelling said.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said he had no doubt Chicago was ready for the convention, and a week’s worth of protests that are on tap.
“The city of Chicago is really good at things like this,” Johnson said. “We are ready. We are ready.”
WTTW News’ Jared Rutecki contributed to this report.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
