Good afternoon, Chicago.
In an effort to show its support for free expression, the city opened up its speaker’s platform at Park No. 578 during all four days of the Democratic National Convention, constructing a stage with a microphone and industrial amplifiers pointed toward the parking lots of the United Center. Speakers needed to get preapproved for their 45-minute slots, although day-of sign-ups for empty slots were accepted.
Though all but three of the 24 slots were booked, many speakers this week didn’t show up for their designated times. As protests spilled into the park on Monday, only a single group delivered a speech on the stage, according to officials with the city’s Office of Emergency Management & Communications. On Tuesday and Wednesday, an eclectic group of speakers — focusing on issues ranging from saving the whales to opioid overdose prevention and school choice — took the mic to speak to an almost-empty park.
The creation of the speaker’s platform came as the city of Chicago faced backlash and accusations of free speech violations from groups planning to protest at the DNC.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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Scott Kowalchyk/CBS
Stephen Colbert sings “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in the announcers booth during the Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field on Aug. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (Scott Kowalchyk/CBS)
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