Serving the Loop and Near North neighborhoods of downtown Chicago

Showdown at Congress Parkway

Saturday, the day before the NATO Summit

Photo by Steven Dahlman

May 20, 2012 – (Above) At 4:41 p.m. on Saturday, thousands of protestors walking south on Michigan Avenue approach Chicago police officers waiting for them at Congress Parkway. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

Photo by Steven Dahlman

For several tense minutes, police blocked the protestors from crossing Congress Parkway.

Photo by Steven Dahlman

18th district police commander Kenneth Angarone (second from left) is briefed by his officers.

Photo by Steven Dahlman

With four helicopters hovering overhead and the crowd chanting, “The whole world is watching,” Chicago police decide what to do with the protestors who clearly want to cross Congress Parkway. At 4:49 p.m., the crowd was peacefully allowed to cross and by 5:07 p.m., they had all reached Roosevelt Road.

Photo by Steven Dahlman

Earlier in the afternoon, a Coast Guard patrol boat guarded the west side of the DuSable Bridge.

Photo by Steven Dahlman

The Shoreline vessel Evening Star is momentarily blocked by a Chicago police boat from going under the Wabash Avenue Bridge.

Photo by Steven Dahlman Photo by Steven Dahlman
(Above) Overhead view of the Coast Guard boat. With Marina City in the background, a foreign television journalist reports from Wacker Drive.

Photo by Steven Dahlman

(Left) A police horse in riot gear prepares to block Michigan Avenue from thousands of protestors.

Audio: Two-minute wild track from Chicago NATO protest. Duration: 2:00.

Mortgage rates hit 7.28%, tightening squeeze on North Side buyers
Mortgage rates hit 7.28%, tightening squeeze on North Side buyers
Former Royal Sonesta quietly rebrands as Hotel 505 following sale to Canadian developer
Former Royal Sonesta quietly rebrands as Hotel 505 following sale to Canadian developer
Goodbye, 5% mortgages: Rate creep and inventory slump pinch Chicago buyers
Goodbye, 5% mortgages: Rate creep and inventory slump pinch Chicago buyers
Crossing the river: A Chicago fan’s game-day guide to the Chiefs’ new home in KCK
Crossing the river: A Chicago fan’s game-day guide to the Chiefs’ new home in KCK
Cook County homeowners bear brunt of $744M tax hike as commercial values lag
Cook County homeowners bear brunt of $744M tax hike as commercial values lag
Why Cook County’s senior property tax freeze should be automatic—and permanent
Why Cook County’s senior property tax freeze should be automatic—and permanent
Mayor’s ‘PRO’ renter ordinance could backfire with higher rents, landlords warn
Mayor’s ‘PRO’ renter ordinance could backfire with higher rents, landlords warn
Data center redevelopment at 300 West Adams approved
Data center redevelopment at 300 West Adams approved
At CTA stop, Bailey pledges SAFE-T Act repeal and property tax cap
At CTA stop, Bailey pledges SAFE-T Act repeal and property tax cap
Court backs City Hall in Streeterville pot shop ruling
Court backs City Hall in Streeterville pot shop ruling
ChicagoFilming.com Chicago MLS Pro Aqua Condo Homes Marina City Condo Homes West Town Condos Chicago MLS Pro