© Nancy Stone, Chicago TribuneAnti-terrorism agents tout rifles in front of the disarmed public at the 2013 Chicago Marathon.
Chicago, Illinois - Continuing the trend of mass-suspension of the 4th amendment at every possible event, police searched the bags of anyone they chose along the 26-mile track of the annual Chicago Marathon. More disturbing than the predictable push to eliminate privacy rights is the public's utter acquiescence in the face of the growing police state.
At the annual race on Sunday, October 13th, a
legion of police officers lined the streets. Chicago Police sent
more than 1,000 officers to the race; some wearing conspicuous yellow vests, others infiltrating the crowd in plain clothes. FBI agents wearing military fatigues held a visible presence throughout the track, along with federal ATF agents and U.S. Marshals carrying rifles. DHS agents littered the scene performing searches with dogs.
Department of Homeland Security
designated the marathon a "Level Two" event, justifying the massive presence of federal agents at the race. Near the intersection of Michigan and Jackson, a giant Emergency Alert System
banner read "EAS: Alert Level Low."
"Everywhere you look there's about 20 officers at the corner, about 14 helicopters in the air," said
Amie Byrne.
© AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh1,000+ CPD officers staffed checkpoints and performed random bag searches.
Grant Park was
locked down with checkpoints and suspicionless bag searches. To add to the security theater, the race banned costumes for participants and only allowed runners to carry clear plastic baggies.
Barriers and fencing were erected in many places, a notable difference from years past. "(Now) you can't run out and say, 'Hi,'" commented one onlooker. Unlike in the past, when police have looked the other way, no one was allowed to help a marathoner finish the run in the last mile or two.