Did Chicago's mayor have the right to ban protestors from the street in front of her residence?
By Esther Tsvayg
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YES
When Chicago police recently blocked protestors from the street in front of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's residence, they relied on local laws banning residential protesting, intended to protect "the right to quiet enjoyment of [residents'] homes." A Chicago police spokesperson said that this ban is enforced circumstantially based on the size of the affected area.
The local laws appear supported by a 1988 Supreme Court ruling allowing bans on protests outside a residence. The state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union contended that a ban "does not necessarily extend to the entire block." The mayor's office further justified the move by citing threats made against Lightfoot.
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