(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A small park near the United Center will be a focal point of protest activity this week, tucked inside a West Side residential area. It's also where Democratic National Convention security perimeter fencing was breached momentarily by protestors on Monday.
Some Chicagoans, living in the area, aren't exactly thrilled to have the tall steel metal DNC security fencing running through their neighborhood, or the noise and confusion for kids that comes with a week of large protests.
"I was told that some of the residents couldn't park. So I think that was kind of like disrespectful," one resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
The small neighborhood park, within view of the United Center, has pretty much been designated the official free speech zone. The city has set up some PA equipment in Park 578 and more than two dozen 45-minute speaking slots have been pre-approved so far.
Nearby residents speaking anonymously, tell WBBM it has been disruptive. They can't park where they usually do, caution tape is covering the park benches, and kids and their parents have limited access to Park 578 and its playground during the last week of summer.
"Kids are not in school right now. So it's like they just enjoying stuff and kids really don't know what's going on. So, it can cause like fear it can cause like, you know, just the discomfort of it all."
One resident said she is for free speech, but would have preferred better communication from city officials beforehand. She's concerned about the impact on the children too.
"They are fearful of what's going on. They're hearing, loud noises, screaming, and whatever rights that the people have, they have it. However, I do believe that if this was in a different community, it would not have went this route. It wouldn't have, they wouldn't have allowed certain things."
Ultimately the neighbors WBBM spoke to say they would like to have been given more information and the chance to push back against the idea.
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