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We support an individual’s right to peacefully protest. However, here in this city, it seems that a “peaceful protest” includes battering police of- ficers, launching demolition-grade explosives at police formations, destroying the property of small business owners, stealing and looting, des- ecrating memorials and toppling statues.
We all know that a deterrent would be legisla- tion that is enforced. Locally, we have seen an unbalanced number of arrests compared to the
number of violators, as most of the arrestees are given a sand- wich and walked out the front door.
Good news, help is coming...but to Florida. The governor of that state is reportedly working on legislation that we doubt will ever be implemented here in Illinois (at least not in the next two and a half years). Florida plans to implement a new legislation called the Combatting Violence, Disorder and Loot- ing and Law Enforcement Protection Act.
This proposed act has three main elements to it: new laws against rioting, increased penalties for crimes against law en- forcement officers and added measures against defunding the police. The proposed laws regarding riots include banning vi- olent or disorderly assemblies, obstructing traffic, destroying statues and monuments, public harassment and RICO against anyone who organizes or funds a violent or disorderly assem- bly. Drivers would not be liable for injury or death caused by fleeing for their safety from rioters, and intimidating people in public who are minding their own business would be a charge- able offense.
It proposes increased and mandatory penalties for throw- ing objects that strike any person (citizen or law enforcement) during violent or disorderly assemblies. A six-month minimum sentence for solely striking a police officer is proposed, with enhanced penalties if weapons were used, or if officers were struck with objects that were thrown during a riot.
There is also a defunding the police mechanism built into the proposals that would bar any municipality from receiving state grant funds if the city or municipality reduces police funding in their budget. The proposal would also terminate any state ben- efits (welfare) for anyone convicted in participating in a violent or disorderly assembly.
I’m happy to know that some states care about the safety of their taxpayers and law enforcement officers. I wonder what kind of bottleneck effect this would have on us locally if rioters chose to travel to less resistant states.
What it’s like to attend a Trump rally
On Sept. 26, the National FOP publicly presented President Trump with the endorsement of the National FOP, on behalf of 350,000 law enforcement officers. Two hundred FOP mem- bers from around the country were invited, and Lodge 7 was honored to be part of it. Four of us (President John Catanzara,
10 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ OCTOBER 2020
Third Vice President Fernando Flores, Recording Secretary Rob Noceda and I) made it to Middletown, Pennsylvania (near Har- risburg) to attend this outdoor event. The event was scheduled for two hours after the president named his nomination for the next Supreme Court justice from the Rose Garden at the White House.
As we were directed to the parking area, we drove past waves of people walking towards the venue. Five protesters were out holding signs, and each looked like they’d seen better days. Vastly outnumbered as Trump supporters passed, the protest- ers continued without any issues.
The event was held on the airfield of the Harrisburg airport, and it consisted of two outdoor venues. One was similar to that of a tailgate party complete with fans, some in costume, and dozens of vendors.
The second venue, where the main stage was, was on the actual airstrip and accessible through an additional security checkpoint, where every entrant’s temperature was checked before entry. Both venues had Jumbotrons playing music and recordings of the president’s past speeches, the president’s campaign ads (which are never shown back home) and speech- es by other Pennsylvania politicians speaking to the people of their state.
Two hundred FOP members assembled at a designated area, and we were all given T-shirts reading, “Fraternal Order of Po- lice for Trump.” We were escorted into the venue by members of the Trump campaign at 3 p.m. The president was scheduled to arrive at 7 p.m., after announcing his Supreme Court nomi- nation from the White House.
Once inside the venue, well-organized security guards made it easy to find our designated area. The FOP area was a set of bleachers behind the podium and to the left. We faced the crowd, who faced the podium. Over and over, Trump support- ers expressed their gratitude and provided thanks for the ser- vice of law enforcement upon reading our T-shirts.
Music played before the event, and the crowd was energetic. The president’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett was aired on the Jumbotron, and the reaction was enthusiastic. Judge Bar- rett’s speech aired as well, which further pumped up the crowd.
Parents and children in attendance were having conversa- tions about current affairs, and specifically how the Supreme Court nominee will have an impact on future generations. Some of the children were not even old enough to take their eighth-grade Constitution exam. (Does CPS even require Con- stitution tests anymore?)
What was surprising were the intelligent conversations over- heard and the chants of, “Back the Blue, Back the Blue!” During the four-hour wait, the chants were directed toward our seating area four or five times. So many random people giving thanks for our service; something rarely given or acknowledged back home.
Although the line for the portable restrooms was about a
SecondVice President’s Report
Help is coming... just not to Illinois
DAN GORMAN