In a recent turn of events, Chicago’s newly elected Mayor Brandon Johnson found himself at odds with the media over the use of the term ‘mob action.’
This disagreement arose following an incident where a group of up to 400 teenagers wreaked havoc at a local 7-Eleven store in the South Loop area.
The incident, which occurred just after 9 pm on a Sunday, saw the convenience store stormed by a large crowd of youngsters. The aftermath was a scene of chaos, with items looted and the store vandalized.
The police managed to arrest at least 40 individuals, aged between 12 and 20, in their attempt to control the situation.
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 news conference held on Wednesday, Mayor Johnson addressed a variety of issues, including the recent surge in teenage gatherings.
However, he took issue with a reporter’s use of the phrase ‘mob action’ to describe the behavior of the large group, despite it being a legal term. The mayor’s stance has raised eyebrows, especially considering the city’s escalating crime rates.
According to the latest crime statistics, the total number of crimes in Chicago this year has risen by a staggering 36 percent, compared to 2022. This alarming increase left many questioning whether Mayor Johnson is downplaying the severity of the situation.
Jonathan Nowak, the owner of the trashed 7-Eleven store, expressed his concerns about the growing problem of teen mobs. He urged Mayor Johnson to take the issue seriously, stating 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 praised the Chicago police for their handling of the situation.
He stated the officers showed a high level of sensitivity and patience during the ordeal. However, Interim Superintendent Fred Waller had a different perspective, stating 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 his administration works with community groups to prevent such large youth gatherings. However, the effectiveness of these efforts remains questionable given the recent surge in crime rates.
As Chicago grapples with rising crime rates and increasing instances of youth unrest, the debate over the use of the term ‘mob action’ continues. Whether this is a case of political correctness gone too far or a genuine concern for the portrayal of young people in the media, only time will tell.
