Fifty-three people, including nine minors, were arrested early Monday morning after the Chicago Pride Parade.
“Following the parade and into the night, officers had objects thrown at them and multiple officers were injured while working to keep the area safe. Our officers, who exhibited great restraint and patience, recovered four firearms while responding to these crowds,” the Chicago Police Department wrote on social media.
“More than 50 arrests were made in connection to this post-parade activity, including felony arrests for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated battery against a police officer, aggravated assault of a transit employee, and armed habitual criminal,” the police department’s statement continued.
Fourteen of those arrested face felony counts, with charges including aggravated battery of a transit employee, aggravated battery of a police officer, and drug possession, NBC Chicago reported. Twenty-four of those arrested were charged with various misdemeanors, including reckless conduct, battery, assault, and criminal damage to property.
Those charged with felonies include a 14-year-old boy charged with aggravated battery to a transit employee, a 17-year-old boy charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, a 17-year-old boy charged with aggravated battery to an officer, and a 15-year-old boy charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a person under 21, according to CBS News.
Additionally, six people were cited for obstructing traffic, six people cited for disorderly conduct, and one person was cited for both obstructing traffic and disorderly conduct, ABC Chicago reported. One person was arrested on an outstanding warrant, and charges are still pending against two people.
“The Chicago Pride Parade, which ended safely at 2 p.m., was full of celebration and joy,” PRIDEChicago, which organizes the annual parade, said in a statement. “Our all-volunteer organization is humbled by the overwhelming positive feedback we’ve received from participants and spectators, who were part of the parade festivities during the day.”
“The Pride Parade yesterday was a safe and wonderful celebration of our diverse LGBTQ+ community, and it was such a joy to see so many people come out to show their support in the fight for equality,” Ald. Bennett Lawson, who represents the city’s 44th Ward, told NBC Chicago. “Following the Parade’s conclusion, I was extremely disappointed to see disruptive actions in our neighborhood into the early morning hours. I am grateful to the Chicago Police Department for their quick and decisive action to limit any damage and keep people safe, and to the Streets and Sanitation Department for their great work to clean our neighborhood.”