Truck Driver Accused Of Attacking Environmental Protesters in Chicago

Tensions are high throughout the country. Truck drivers are on edge and, despite being the heroes of Covid, many have come under fire lately.

Today, a truck driver was caught on camera getting into an altercation with protesters in Chicago.

According to the Chicago Sun Times, a group assembled to protest the building of a new distribution center. Protesters reportedly fear that “the new facility will inundate the community with hundreds of diesel-fueled trucks every day, polluting a community that already is among the worst in the state for poor air quality.”

The truck driver, who appeared to be hauling machinery to help with the demolition of the old power plant to make way of the new building, is seen on video arguing with protestors who were trying to block his entry into the job site.

“The man, who said he was trying to get to work, then raised his fists, kicked at and struck at least one protester with his hands before returning to his truck and turning on West 36th Street,” the Chicago Sun Times reported.

The protests are being organized by the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization.

The group created a Facebook event for the protest. The event’s description reads, “We are tired. We are disgusted. We demand justice, an end to the Crawford demolition during what is STILL a global pandemic, and reparations for harm caused to us by the hand of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, City officials, and Hilco Redevelopment Corporation.Join us between 35th Pl. and 36th St. S. Pulaski Rd at 6am on June 5th, 2020 to bare witness the ongoing environmental racism in Little Village and surrounding neighborhoods.”

It is unclear if the driver will face any charges. His identity has not been released; however, company officials say they are investigating the incident.