Anti-violence protesters plan to shut down Dan Ryan Saturday morning
CHICAGO (Fox 32 News) - Father Michael Pfleger is set to lead anti-violence protesters on a march that will shut down a mile-long stretch of the Dan Ryan Saturday morning.
The march is scheduled start at 10 am at 79th Street and go north on the inbound lanes to 67th Street. But state police say they plan to arrest protesters if they step onto the expressway.
"Our youth are very determined. It is important to me that this is a non-violent demonstration," Father Pfleger said.
Father Pfleger says it'll be the youth leading the way onto the Dan Ryan expressway Saturday, including students like Rieonna Holman.
"No one seems to be paying attention to our movement, so we decided to make it bigger," Holman said.
Residents at a nearby CTA stop had mixed views regarding Pfleger's plans to march from 79th to 67th, closing down the expressway.
"It's not a good idea. there's too much traffic in Chicago to shut it down," one person said.
"I think it's a good idea. I think you got to make somebody hear you. And that's a loud way," another said.
Father Pfleger's plans to shut down the Dan Ryan received an endorsement Friday from one very influential Chicagoan, Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
"I think the march is an important aspect of that effort that highlights issues from gun control to economic opportunity to also making sure that there's trust and good community relations with that effort," Mayor Emanuel said.
Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says his officers won't arrest peaceful protesters, but once the protests reach the expressway, it's not his call.
"I'll leave the decisions regarding the Dan Ryan up to the state police. but just know that we will be there on the periphery for crowd control, traffic control," Supt. Johnson said.
Father Pfleger says change will come, he's just not sure when.
"I don't know what's going to be the tipping point. Here's what I do know. We are going to continue until things change," Father Pfleger said.