(Headline USA) Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was blasted this week for posting a video of herself dancing in the streets of Chicago during a Lunar New Year parade while crime ravages the city.
In the video, Lightfoot can be seen dancing along to a drum line.
“It’s time to vote!” she wrote. “Thanks to the Kaotic Drumline for kicking off the party this morning. One month until Election Day, Chicago! Let’s do this thing.”
Lightfoot’s critics were quick to point out the record-high crime rates in Chicago. Just this past month, the city recorded more than 6,000 crimes — a 59% increase compared to the same time frame last year, according to the Chicago Police Department. Motor vehicle thefts are up by 166%; robberies are up by 25%; and sexual assaults are up by 25%, the data show.
“Since @chicagosmayor’s term began, Chicago has suffered 2,278 homicides and over 9,000 shot. Since January 1, the city has endured 41 homicides and 194 shot,” Chicago Contrarian tweeted. “Yet here Lightfoot is blissfully dancing and asking voters to return her to office.”
The rising crime rates are part of the reason Lightfoot faces a contentious Democrat primary. Nine challengers are seeking to oust her from office.
Lightfoot attempted to defend her handling of the city during a candidate’s debate earlier this month.
“We have started to change Chicago around for the better,” Lightfoot said. “I want to finish the job that we have started.”
In the same debate, Lightfoot suggested street vendors should rely on other forms of payment besides cash to avoid being robbed.
“To combat crime in Chicago, Mayor @LoriLightfoot says ‘not use money, if at all possible, (use) other forms of transactions to carry…’ What’s next? Laws demanding ‘cash control’?” conservative talk radio host Larry Elder tweeted in response.
