CANARYVILLE (WBBM Newsradio) -- A small but vocal group of critics of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has stepped up its opposition to his leadership of the city, by interrupting an appearance at a union event on Chicago’s South side.
Members of the group calling itself Chicago Flips Red have been fixtures at City Council meetings for months, accusing the mayor and aldermen of selling out Black people in the city. The group attracted the attention of President Trump over the summer with its call on social media for the National Guard to be sent into the city.
Their latest appearance came outside City Hall Thursday morning at the American Postal Workers Union headquarters, 4217 S. Halsted St., as the mayor, Governor J.B. Pritzker and other leaders marked the 250th anniversary of the U-S Postal Service.
When organizers opened the floor to questions from reporters, a woman in a red T-shirt rose.
“Of course, thank you to the postal workers for their service, of course,” she said, but quickly continued “it’s not about that. It’s not about that.”
Union Local 1 president Keith Richardson tried to interject, but the woman continued: “It’s about my freedom of speech wherever I am… wherever I am!”
As a supporter live-streamed the encounter to the group’s Facebook page, the speaker went on: “Thank you for your service, and be mindful of the high property tax bills that’s going into people’s mailboxes right now … by way of Mayor Brandon Johnson. Thank you. Chicago flips red.”
It’s not clear how the group gained access to the event, which was billed as a rally and press conference.
Mayor Johnson’s press staff, who had promised to make him available for questions from reporters after the event, quickly hustled journalists and photographers into a cramped hallway away from the public event to speak with the mayor. Reporters later asked the mayor what he took from the heckler.
“There are some folks that want to hyper-politicize every single encounter,” said the mayor, who insisted he’s standing up for working families.
“I’m very grateful that we are having this very robust conversation at this time.”