Thousands of marchers in Chicago joined the national outrage over the killing of a black man in Minneapolis police custody, hitting the streets in protest on Saturday for a second day.
Downtown was ravaged by rioters and looters, who shattered multiple storefront windows and carried off goods from inside. Some rioters were also seen smashing windows of police cars, tipping at least one Chicago Police SUV onto its side and setting several ablaze.
At least four people were shot, one fatally and there were 240 arrests, Chicago Police Department spokesman Howard Ludwig said Sunday. He also said 20 officers were injured.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who imposed a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as the situation downtown escalated Saturday night, established new precautionary safety measures that restricts access to the Loop. She also announced Sunday that Gov. J.B. Pritzker had activated 375 Illinois National Guard “to maintain a limited presence in support” of the Chicago Police Department.
Here’s a visual recap of Saturday’s George Floyd protest in downtown Chicago:
Thousands protested in Chicago’s downtown area on Saturday demanding justice for the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police early last week.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A woman stares into the camera with “I cant breath” written on her face mask during a protest for George Floyd.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Many protesters were peaceful in their demonstrations on Saturday in downtown Chicago.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Thousands of protested filled the streets of downtown Saturday and demanded justice for the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Thousands of protesters carried handmade signs that read, “Black Lives Matter” and “Justice for George Floyd” as they paraded through Chicago’s downtown area.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Thousands protesters flooded Chicago’s downtown area and demanded justice for Floyd, a black man who was killed at the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer on Monday.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Five protesters climbed onto the roof of a graffiti-filled CTA bus during Saturday’s protest.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A group of protesters block police vehicles from moving forward on Dearborn.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A protester gets into a police officers face and flips him off during a protest for the death of Floyd.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A Chicago police officer reacts to thousands of protesters gathered Saturday on State near Wacker to join national outrage over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Chicago police and protesters scuffle near Daley Plaza.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Chicago police take someone into custody after a scuffle near Daley Plaza.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Protesters squared off with Chicago police on Kinzie and State Street during Saturday’s protest.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Chicago police officers clash with protesters near Kinzie and State as thousands in Chicago joined national outrage over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Chicago police push through a line of protesters to take Wabash Bridge.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Chicago police officers clash with protesters near Kinzie and State as thousands in Chicago joined national outrage over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
A Chicago police officer has egg on his face shield after a protester threw one at him during Saturday’s demonstration in downtown Chicago.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Protesters damage an overturned Chicago Police Department SUV on Kinzie near State.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Law enforcement unleashes a stream of pepper spray at protesters on State near Lake in the Loop.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
A woman gets milk poured on her face after getting pepper-sprayed near Wacker and Wabash in the Loop.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Chicago fire department respond to a Police vehicle set ablaze during Saturday’s protest.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Protesters set a Chicago Police Department SUV on fire near State and Lake in the Loop.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Bridges over the Chicago River were lifted to limit transportation to and from the Loop during Saturday’s protest.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
A protester breaks a storefront window near State and Lake in the Loop.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Protesters loot a 7-Eleven near Lake and Dearborn in the Loop.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Chicago police officers walk past a garbage can that was set on fire on Lake Street in the Loop.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Protesters loot a CVS store on Kinzie near LaSalle in River North.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Protesters loot items from a 7-Eleven on Lake and Dearborn.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A protester sets an American flag ablaze on Kinzie near LaSalle in River North.
Taking away guns from people served with domestic violence orders of protection would be a lot of work. “There aren’t enough sworn officers to carry out what’s being asked here,” Pritzker said.
Deputy Sean Grayson has been fired and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Massey, who had called 911 to report a possible prowler. He has pleaded not guilty. The family says the Department of Justice is investigating.