Chicago Mayor Stays Focused On Policing Speech, Not The Streets

 Chicago’s new Mayor Brandon Johnson might actually be worse than his predecessor Lori Lightfoot. At least she provided comic relief as the city went into decay. With Johnson, all you get is a lecture about the importance of policing speech, not the streets.

The latest chastisement from Johnson came on Thursday when he reprimanded a reporter who used the word “mob” to describe, well, a mob of teenagers looting a local convenient store last weekend.

“That’s not appropriate. We’re not talking about mob actions,” Johnson said about those who called it a “mob.” “We have to be careful when we use language to describe certain behavior. There’s a history in this city, and, I mean, to refer to children as like baby Al Capones is not appropriate.”

Instead, he encouraged us all to say “large gatherings.”

It’s not the first time that Johnson has been angry with how the media talks about such violence.

After one April weekend during which throngs of teenagers rampaged in the streets, jumped on cars, and beat up at least one innocent couple, the Chicago mayor blamed government leaders for “disinvestment” and compared the behavior to his young child jumping down the flight of stairs.

He told the press that it “is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities.”

“Have you ever taught middle school? I have,” Johnson asked. “Have you ever raised young people? Do you understand the risk that young people take just because they’re young? Do you know that home plate is at the bottom of my stairs? I found that out when my son was sliding down those stairs trying to score.”

He went on to say that youngsters “make silly decisions! They do. So we have to make sure that we are investing to make sure that young people know that they are supported.”

Here’s what all that “silliness” looked like: 

As for this latest looting, Johnson appeared to be dismayed that Chicago police arrested individuals.

Police reportedly provided warnings before taking action — something he admits is abnormal.

“That’s a unique approach. You know, many people expect us to treat people undignified. My administration is different,” Johnson said. “Unfortunately, arrests were made. Unfortunately, some damage was caused. And the level of sensitivity and patience that our officers expressed, I’m appreciative of that. That is constitutional. That is a system of care.” (emphasis added)

Unfortunately? The follow-up question should have been about why only 40 individuals out of nearly 400 were arrested. Of course, the answer is likely because cops were directed not to arrest these individuals in the name of equity and restorative justice.

But, if you’re a journalist who does decide to ask Johnson about the lawlessness and lack of support for police, be careful how you phrase it — you’re likely going to get a stern talking-to about your word choices rather than a straightforward response from the Windy City mayor.