At a Scheduled Black and Indigenous Solidarity rally, organized by a coalition of local activists and mutual aid groups, protestors gave speeches denouncing colonialism and call for the abolishment of the police and the redistribution of funds back to the people of Chicago.
Protestors moved from Buckingham Fountain, where the rally was staged, toward a statue of Christopher Columbus, already wrapped in plastic to prevent vandalization and surrounded by police. Meanwhile, Indigenous drumming and chants of “I am on stolen land, built by stolen people!” ring out from the march.
A group of Black Bloc protestors moved on the statue using banners and umbrellas as shields, hurling bottles and fireworks at the police. forcing them to retreat.
It is at this point the protestors begin an attempt to tare down the statue. One scaling the statue to attach ropes to it.
The police regroup, this time in riot gear, swinging batons, and beating protestors with their own signs and bikes.
In a federal lawsuit 60 people claim they were the victims of excessive force, and abuse
The more than 200-page lawsuit alleges that Chicago police used “brutal, violent, and unconstitutional tactics with the intent to injure, silence and intimidate protesters with unlawful, retaliatory and lethal force.”
One young women had her teeth knocked out.
The City of Chicago removed the statue a week later in the middle of the night. To protest by the fraternal order of police President Patrick Yoes.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said removing the Christopher Columbus statues from Grant Park and Little Italy were a matter of public safety.
"Last night, after consultation with a variety of stakeholders, the City temporarily removed the Christopher Columbus statues in Grant Park and Arrigo Park until further notice."
Some of these Images appeared on the Front Page of the Chicago Sun Time July 21st, 2020
