“City officials estimated 175 buildings would have to be wrecked because of fire damage; many more would need extensive repairs,” wrote the late Chicago Tribune reporter Robert Wiedrich regarding the Chicago riots in April 1968. “A Monday morning count disclosed that more than 2,000 persons had been arrested for looting, arson, and other crimes during the disorders, which finally subsided April 7.”
How times have changed. Fast-forward nearly 50 years later, and Chicago protesters continue to call for Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s resignation, pointing to police brutality cases that have come to light under his watch amid accusations of a widespread cover-up.
Despite the rarity of mayoral resignation, activists have collected more than 200,000 signatures in support of Rahm’s stepping down. Janae Bonsu, cochair of the Black Youth Project 100 Chicago Chapter, says the calls for Emanuel’s resignation signal his political vulnerability, and adds that this is the time for people to at least demand changes.
The mayor’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment. But in an interview with Politico earlier this month Emanuel said he had no plans to resign.
In the event that Rahm did step down, the vice mayor, 42nd Ward alderman Brendan Reilly, would step in as mayor until the end of the term or until the City Council chose another member to serve as acting mayor.
