Western Reader
Chicago’s newly elected Mayor, Brandon Johnson, has become embroiled in a dispute with the media over the use of the term ‘mob action.’
This disagreement comes in the wake of an incident where a group of around 400 teenagers caused chaos at a local 7-Eleven store in the South Loop area.
The incident took place on a Sunday evening, with the convenience store being stormed by a large crowd of young people. The aftermath was one of mayhem, with items being stolen and the store being vandalized.
The police were able to apprehend at least 40 individuals, aged between 12 and 20 years old, in an effort to bring the situation under control.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson minimizes mass looting over the weekend
He scolds a reporter for using the term “mob” and says we should instead call them “large gatherings” pic.twitter.com/fXGY3MgcKV
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) August 3, 2023
During a press conference held on Wednesday, Mayor Johnson addressed various issues, including the recent increase in teenage gatherings.
However, he took exception to a reporter’s use of the phrase ‘mob action’ to describe the behavior of the large group, despite it being a legal term. Given the city’s rising crime rates, the mayor’s stance has raised concerns.
According to the latest crime statistics, the total number of crimes in Chicago has risen by a shocking 36 percent compared to the previous year. This alarming increase has led many to question whether Mayor Johnson is downplaying the severity of the situation.
Jonathan Nowak, the owner of the vandalized 7-Eleven store, expressed his concerns about the growing issue of teen mobs. He urged Mayor Johnson to take the problem seriously, stating that not enough has been done to address it.
The incident at his store resulted in multiple arrests, with charges ranging from misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct to more serious offenses, such as unlawful possession of an automatic weapon.
“Chicago Mayor upset with use of the word ‘mob’ to describe hundreds of teens showing up and looting stores.”
35% voter turnout.
People get the government they deserve.
Vibe: pic.twitter.com/zQQX6u9vVy
— Douglas Ritz (@douglasritz) August 3, 2023
Despite the criticism, Mayor Johnson commended the Chicago police for their handling of the situation.
He stated that the officers showed a high level of sensitivity and patience during the ordeal. However, Interim Superintendent Fred Waller had a different perspective, stating that the police had no choice but to make mass arrests due to the group’s refusal to disperse and their aggressive behavior.
Mayor Johnson claimed that his administration is working with community groups to prevent such large youth gatherings. However, the effectiveness of these efforts remains uncertain given the recent surge in crime rates.
As Chicago grapples with rising crime rates and increasing incidents of youth unrest, the debate over the use of the term ‘mob action’ continues. Only time will tell whether this is a case of political correctness taken too far or a genuine concern for the portrayal of young people in the media.
This article appeared in NewsHouse and has been published here with permission.
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