Protesters Want to Shut Down Chicago's Dan Ryan Expressway

A group of Black Lives Matter protesters is planning to shut down Chicago’s Dan Ryan Expressway in an Aug. 15 march.

According to a Facebook page, “Black Lives Matter March: Shutdown Our Dan Ryan,” the march is scheduled for Aug. 15 at noon at Garfield Blvd. and I-90.

It is hosted by several groups, including Tikkun Chai Inter-National, which says it is “a humanitarian organization that advocates and fights for human rights of all people,” and its Chicago auxiliary organization, the Chicago Activist Coalition for Justice. The groups are calling for 25,000 people to shut down the highway to draw attention to “stolen lives lost in police brutality.”

The Illinois Trucking Association told HDT that it has confirmed from Illinois State Police that this is a valid attempt to shut down the Dan Ryan. The State Police are working with local law enforcement to hopefully prevent protesters from entering the highway.

“ITA is advising trucking companies to avoid the Dan Ryan at that time and we are continuing to work closely with Illinois State Police to promote safety for everyone,” said Matt Hart, executive director.

The Dan Ryan Expressway runs from the Circle Interchange with Interstate 290 near Downtown Chicago through the South Side of the city. It is designated as both I-90 and I-94 south to 66th Street.