NEWSLETTER
On August 2, the Chicago Cubs are hosting the San Diego Padres at 7pm CT, which is not something I’d be writing about this far in advance except that the timing will become relevant thanks to a demonstration taking place earlier that day down Lake Shore Drive, and ending at Wrigley Field.
In an effort to highlight the disparities in resources available on the South and West sides of Chicago, as compared to the North, which is home to Wrigleyville in the Lakeview neighborhood, demonstrators will march up Lake Shore Drive on August 2. The march is to begin at 4pm CT, and head up Lake Shore Drive to Wrigley Field.
Activist plan to march to Wrigley Field next month to highlight the disparity in resources available on the South and West sides as compared to the North Side, @samjcharles reports. https://t.co/ZhSQLFJKOl
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) July 24, 2018
When asked if protesters plan to enter Wrigley Field, one organizer said "You’ll have to wait and see.” Oh, and they aren't asking for permission, @samjcharles reports. https://t.co/puZACRKHDp
— Sun-Times Sports (@suntimes_sports) July 24, 2018
Anti-violence march to Wrigley Field that will shut down North Lake Shore Drive is aimed to “redistribute the pain in Chicago,” organizers say https://t.co/OpMhgHXqyS pic.twitter.com/Af1UHi144K
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) July 24, 2018
This will no doubt create a delicate situation for the Cubs and their fans, as the march seems designed to maximize disruption of the convenience of attendance to that game, but that’s often the very point of protests and demonstrations. If they are entirely convenient for the target audience, then they are also entirely easy to ignore. The message should at least be heard.
At the same time, the Cubs and their fans have a right to enjoy that night’s game. How those disparate interests will be balanced remains to be seen, but the fact that word is coming out more than a week before the demonstration is scheduled should help the city and the Cubs lay some plans to accommodate fans without entirely squashing an important message.
And to the Cubs fans there in attendance who may not agree with the protest or the inconveniences it creates, I hope they are able to be peaceful and calm about what’s going on. Similarly, I hope the demonstrators don’t actually have any intention to unlawfully enter Wrigley Field, itself. Again, I understand the purpose of protests, but that seems like it would be a bit too far (and risk hurting their own cause).
