* Del Vecchio is a freelance reporter…
A Madigan spokesperson had no comment.
The group has made some recent campaign endorsements. It’s mainly focused on the Green New Deal.
…Adding… Duncan Black recently made some very important points about activist dynamics…
Here’s the way it’s supposed to work.
1) Activists make “extreme” maximalist demands.
2) Centrist politicians say whoa whoa this is a real issue, but those activists are a bit nuts, still here is a Common Sense Proposal That All Americans Can Agree On which addresses the problem in a good bipartisan fashion (blah blah blah cue West Wing theme).
3) Activists keep making extreme demands.
4) Centrist politicians say, “See how reasonable we are? We aren’t like those nutters, our proposals are Good! And Reasonable! And Common Sense! And that those crazy activists are still mad about it is proof that we aren’t just crazy weirdo lefties! See how mad they are!”
The point is that something can be achieved even as the politicians get cred for punching hippies. It’s a bit of kayfabe, but hopefully also a bit of win-win. Still it requires that the hippies remain mad! If the hippies are happy the show breaks down.
Now what happens is the “reasonable” proposals are made, the activists remain mad (as they are supposed to), and then people get mad at the activists for not being more grateful. That’s not how it works!
When activists, say, fight for $15, and then the politicians come back with, “well, that’s nuts, how about $12 in 3 years,” those politicians don’t get to run to their business donors and say, “see? we fought off the hippies for you,” if the hippies say, “wow, great, $12 in 3 years is good enough, thank you Mr. Politician.’
You see this a lot with the environmental groups as well.
- Just Me 2 - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:03 am:
I’ve always had trouble respecting a group that protests outside a politician’s personal home. An office is fine, but neighbors, kids, and pets don’t understand what is going on. Even with COVID and most offices closed it still seems inappropriate.
- TNR - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:04 am:
When they leave Madigan’s house they should march on the offices of every leading environmental group in the state. They, like Madigan, were all for Exelon/ComEd’s last big energy bill.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:07 am:
Wonder what they want that they don’t have. Keeping lights on? FREE Bulbs. Running frigs? PAY BILLS or Energy Assistance.
- Powdered Whig - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:08 am:
People have a right to protest, but they are awfully close to being on private property, if not already there. You do not have the right to protest on someone else’s private property. What are you trying to accomplish at the man’s house that couldn’t be achieved by going to the district office a few blocks away?
- JoanP - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:11 am:
They’re like the kids who “occupied” a street in Kenwood where the U of C provost lives: https://www.hpherald.com/news/local/protesters-end-occupation-in-front-of-provost-s-house-with-march-to-ucpd-headquarters/article_f885e216-ef7f-11ea-8a4b-db3c93cf9df3.html
People like this are jerks. They have absolutely no consideration for other people. When they go to Madigan’s house “in the early morning”, they are disturbing not only the target of their attack, but all the neighbors.
Do they care that there’s a parent who’s been up all night with a sick kid? That someone just got home from a night job and needs sleep? Nah, it’s all about themselves.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:15 am:
===they are awfully close to being on private property===
As the headline says, they are on private property.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:16 am:
Considering they weren’t Federal marshals knocking on his door it wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been for the Speaker
- BlueDogDem - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:21 am:
they should be arrested.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:23 am:
“Why can’t these people protest in a manner that is less effective and more ignorable?”
– MrJM
- Reddevil1 - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:24 am:
Hard for me to respect protestors that are on private property
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:24 am:
I agree with the comments made above. This sort of protesting really crosses the line. A group of activists recently protested outside of the Oak Park Mayor’s residence during a zoom council meeting and destroyed private property. This crosses the line.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-park/ct-oak-park-protesting-tl-0903-20200901-smp5gpo6prd3xofij42jbf6ezm-story.html
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:24 am:
The activist dynamics piece is very true. I would add that the flip side is that if you are a politician trying to always satisfy the activist agenda, you are likely going to be disappointed.
- Moe Berg - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:26 am:
Support clean energy, support protest, but these kids are painfully naive and uninformed. They care about climate? We need nukes, too, for a while.
Taking it to people’s homes, showing no concern for neighbors, family members and other “political non- combatants” is going beyond free speech and into the realm of physical intimidation and menace. They are on his property, not the right of way.
Overall, the far-right is a bigger threat right now, especially from a violence perspective. As is well documented and affirmed by law enforcement agencies.
But, these left tactics have the whiff of early Cultural Revolution about them. A little more history these youngsters should study and understand, lest they become the monsters they think they are battling.
- Powdered Whig - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:27 am:
=== As the headline says, they are on private property. ===
Then the protestors should have been removed, but I am guessing that MJM didn’t want to do anything to draw attention to them since it is likely what they would have wanted.
- Sayitaintso - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:29 am:
10 more people and they could have a very small march.
- Red ghetto in a blue state - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:34 am:
Mental image….
Speaker Madigan calmly exits front door of his home.
“Good morning everyone”
Pulls out hammer and taps stake into front yard.
“Wonderful weather we are having today wouldn’t you say”
Staples no trespassing sign to stake.
“Hope you all have a wonderful remainder of your day”
Reenters his home while waving to group.
- City Zen - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:40 am:
==the far-right is a bigger threat right now, especially from a violence perspective==
In Illinois?
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:47 am:
Groups such as this deserve only one response and that is complete disregard. They don’t care about the lives of people and the need for stable cost efficient electricity much less personal property. Don’t even acknowledge their passion because they are wrong. And stay off his property. This is bullying and the left is doing more and more of it. It will invite a backlash and that will help no one.
- AnonymousFool - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:50 am:
-==the far-right is a bigger threat right now, especially from a violence perspective==
In Illinois?-
Really? After the shooting in Kenosha, WI, you say something this stupid?
- walker - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 11:58 am:
It’d be nice to know if they are for or against any specific proposals for Illinois. CEJA? “Path to 100?” All of the above, except no nuclear and more control over utilities? Hard to tell from their social media, beyond the Green New Deal generally.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:00 pm:
=In Illinois?=
Is Kenosha close to Illinois? Where did that guy come from?
- Donnie Elgin - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:03 pm:
These protests take the focus off of MJM’s failed handling of sexual harassment complaints in his political organization.
- McLeanist - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:07 pm:
Madigan: “Smithers, Release the hounds”
- A Guy - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:11 pm:
==they should be arrested.==
Agreed. Anyone not on a public street or sidewalk should be arrested. No questions asked. No one should be on his lawn or driveway, and the bullhorn should be subject to a noise ordinance. I don’t believe in protesting homes, but if you do, it’s important not to encroach one toe onto private property. That’s not your “right”. You are a criminal when you do that.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:20 pm:
1) Angry leftist hippie activists who hate neoliberal Democrat Madigan join public employee unions.
1) A Raunerite is governor and tries to crush them.
3) Angry leftist hippies run to Madigan for protection.
People should have a strategy for political success instead of just angrily screaming.
- City Zen - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:28 pm:
@AnonymousFool - I’ll let you know when it’s safe to leave your solar-powered bunker.
- Donnie Elgin - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:36 pm:
=the far-right is a bigger threat right now, especially from a violence perspective=
Walk Mag mile - I guess smashed windows and boarded up storefronts and closed shops are not violence.
- Going nuclear - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:39 pm:
The environmental protesters should have stayed on the public street and sidewalk. However, with the worsening climate crisis, we may see grassroots activists joining together in the state to challenge the carbon reduction policies being put forth by mainstream environmental groups. We saw a somewhat similar dynamic take place in the 80s. Think Lois Gibbs, Love Canal, EPA hostages and the grassroots movement that was created to deal with hazardous waste dumps and toxic chemicals.
- Fav human - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:40 pm:
I really guess I ought not to be so surprised that he has one hell of a nice house.
- Wait wait wait - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:43 pm:
MLK was writing about racial justice when he condemned the person “who constantly says ‘I agree with the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action,’” and “who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for [action].”
It’s a different issue, but the people scolding these youth activists for demanding action on climate change sound a lot like that.
- 1st Ward - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:43 pm:
MJM hits it on the head with ““Why can’t these people protest in a manner that is less effective and more ignorable?”
We might not like it but we are talking about it and might see what they are advocating for. If they protest outside of ComEd’s building, city hall, the state building, etc. with two or three dozen people maybe a hyper local paper would have an article buried in the back. No one would care. No one would talk about it.
Protesting outside someone’s house or in their front lawn gets free publicity from multiple sources and people pay attention. The tactics are poor taste but effective in raising awareness. Protesting outside of the decision makers house is quickly becoming the norm and is here to stay.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:53 pm:
I might agree with what some protesters have to say, but get off private property. they should be arrested. along with the goons in Oak Park. it’s not just crossing the line, and undercutting their message, it’s illegal. what the what.
- Blue Beard - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:03 pm:
These people don’t care about the environment, just like the people in Portland don’t care about Black Lives.
Someone referenced the “protest” of the Mayor of Oak Park above. This isn’t that, but it’s just about as bad. And to think, the Mayor or OP is a Palestinian immigrant who migrated here at the age of 18.
We have aldermen in this city pulling these kinds of stunts too. Who was the alderman who led protestors to Lightfoot’s home?
I wonder what Lee Elia would say about these kids today. No respect for anything.
Looking forward to a vaccine so we can get these kids working.
- Southside Markie - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:04 pm:
Madigan to self: “Wow. Look at those pictures. Never realized the street in front of the driveway was in such bad shape. Got to tell Quinn to get on that.”
- Blue Beard adds - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:07 pm:
And who are these “journalists?” They’re even less objective than FOX.
- Chatham Resident - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:34 pm:
Was Chuck Goudie among those reporters on the scene in front of Madigan’s house?
- Moe Berg - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:34 pm:
=Walk Mag mile - I guess smashed windows and boarded up storefronts and closed shops are not violence.=
I deplore looting and vandalism. And, it’s counter-productive.
Don’t equate damage to property to damage to people. Neither is acceptable, the later is worse.
The violence against people problem is most evident on the right today - according to law enforcement, hardly a bunch of squishy libs.
Doesn’t mean it couldn’t become a problem on the left, which is what the Cultural Revolution observation was about.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:41 pm:
“These people don’t care about the environment, just like the people in Portland don’t care about Black Lives.”
Why is a mind-reader like you posting here instead of fighting crime or making your fortune at a Vegas poker table?
– MrJM
- Responsa - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 2:24 pm:
I cannot fathom when it became acceptable to harass people at their own homes where they live with their families –no matter the “cause”.
- Proud Sucker - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 2:47 pm:
Not condoning the trespass in any way. However, his driveway is in much better shape than the street. Maybe Mike should call his Alderman. He knows people, right? /s-ish
- Bruce( no not him) - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:08 pm:
“politicians get cred for punching hippies.”
Can’t we all agree that is a good thing? /S
- Chatham Resident - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:29 pm:
==It’s raining hard here in #WestLawn but it’s not stopping the protesters==
I’m sure there’s some environmental activists who think that “rain” means “bath or shower time” for them.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 8:36 pm:
Lighten up.
A peaceful march, on site for about 10 min, no apparent property damage, a little publicity…this is a model protest.
Speaker Madigan is not known for having office hours where groups like this can make an appointment for a 15 min F2F meeting. Few (if any) of our elected officials are less available than the Speaker. Maybe if he were available in the traditional ways, folks would not have to go to his front door.
The least he could have done was offer them each an apple.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 10:12 pm:
===this is a model protest===
I doubt you’d think so if you were an innocent neighbor at 7 o’clock in the freaking morning.
===Maybe if he were available===
I’m thinking they don’t want a meeting. They wanted some attention.
- John J - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 9:58 am:
Duncan Black’s comments are spot on. And the easiest way for the activists to stay angry is by buying into the tried and true mantra, “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”