Image of Jesus Vandalized in Chicago’s Daley Plaza

(Stock photo of Richard J. Daley Plaza - Daniel Schwen, Wikimedia Commons)

Thomas More Society Response to Vandalism of Divine Mercy Image and Display

On the night of April 23, someone vandalized the Divine Mercy display, which was set up in Daley Plaza by private citizens on April 17. For the previous seven years, the display held its nine-day vigil without incident. This is the first time that someone has defaced the images.

For the past eight years, private citizens have displayed an Easter cross and image of Jesus the Divine Mercy in Daley Plaza, expressing free speech and exercising freedom of religion in the public square.

“No display – whether religious, political, or artistic–should be destroyed by those who disagree with the message,” Attorney Jocelyn Floyd of the Thomas More Society said. “It is shameful that the image of Jesus Christ was marred last night, but private citizens should not allow the occurrence of vandalism to discourage them from expressing their faith in the public square.”

“Free speech and expression of faith is protected by the First Amendment.” Floyd added. “Destruction of others’ speech is not.”

See details and background of display here.

See photos of vandalism to display here.