‘THE LADY DOTH PROTEST TOO MUCH, METHINKS’: Legacy media *aggressively* disputes ‘right wing media’ reports of Venezuelan gang members brandishing guns at apartment complex

There’s an old expression that’s helpful in detecting someone who is, ahem, misrepresenting the truth.  “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”  It’s from Hamlet, courtesy of William Shakespeare.  In everyday speech today, well, let’s let wiki explain:

The phrase is used in everyday speech to indicate doubt of someone’s sincerity, and especially that someone who denies something very strongly is hiding the truth. In this sense the line is often misquoted as “Methinks the lady doth protest too much.”

So not only did Block Club Chicago come out with a long story yesterday discounting multiple 911 callers, but now the Chicago Tribune weighs in.  Given how loudly these publications are disputing MULTIPLE 911 callers who were reporting criminal activity by gang members in real time as it’s happening, it’s almost like we’re experiencing a real-time college-level course in gaslighting, or manipulating others person into questioning the reality they experience in their lives.  You know, see with their own eyes, hear with their own ears, etc.  Gaslighting tends to be repetitive and relentlessly manipulative.

https://youtu.be/vVnGYZiSHbk 

In other words, given the ferocity of their denials, it’s almost like these political activists with bylines have something to hide!

First, Block Club Chicago:

No, Armed Venezuelan Migrants Did Not Take Over A Chicago Apartment Building
Elon Musk and prominent right-wing social media accounts widely circulated claims that dozens of migrants with guns and motorcycles “took over” a South Side apartment. The claim was bogus, said police, neighbors and the area’s alderperson

WASHINGTON PARK — There is no evidence a group of migrants took over a Washington Park apartment complex Monday, a false claim that went viral on social media and was amplified by Elon Musk.

A 911 call was made Monday night, saying there were “32 Venezuelans” trespassing in a building on the 6100 block of King Drive, “showing guns in the courtyard” and packing the courtyard and stairwells, according to scanner audio archived by crimeisdown.com.

Chicago police spokesperson Peggy Benz confirmed Tuesday that officers responded to a call for service to the building, but officers found nothing matching the report at the scene and did not generate a police report for the incident.

The area’s alderwoman and a neighbor also refuted the claim. But the misinformation went viral anyway, particularly catching on among right-wing social media accounts.

!! https://t.co/VECSr4dVhH

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 3, 2024

Now the Chicago Tribune’s getting in on it, dismissing the story as “right wing” fabrication based upon racism.

Experts say that anti-immigrant rhetoric that has intensified in the last several weeks ahead of the presidential election in November led to viral — and incorrect — allegations by right-wing social media accounts that migrants took over a South Side building Monday night.

“Experts” huh?  Well, that settles that.  Are these the same experts that told us we had to be vaccinated or we would catch COVID 19 and die?  Are these the same experts who said that wearing masks in public (akin to a face diaper) will keep you from getting COVID?  One last question:  Are these the same “experts” who said the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian misinformation.

Indeed, authorities said migrants did not trespass with weapons and motorcycles, despite rumors circulated by X owner Elon Musk and others.

How would the authorities know?  They didn’t arrive until almost an hour later!

While a 911 dispatch call came in about 7:45 p.m. Monday that 32 Venezuelans were “trespassing” and “showing guns in the courtyard” of a building in the Washington Park neighborhood, Chicago police said it was a call of service and that no police report was generated.

Residents in the area and migrants living at the building said the call was unfounded.

So people who weren’t there say it never happened.  Gotcha.

And “migrants” living there said the same?  Are they gonna anger Tren de Agua or whatever that prison gang

“There weren’t 32 armed people here last night. That’s a lie,” said Anderson Gutierrez, 20, in Spanish on Tuesday morning.

Immigration experts — who pointed to similar incidents that have unfolded across the country in recent days — said some people are spreading misleading content about migrants on social media to sway voters for anti-immigrant candidates and causes…

Oh, it’s just racism!

Monday night, several social media accounts picked up the Chicago 911 call, including Libs of TikTok, a far right-wing account known for its frequent anti-LGBTQ messaging. Musk, who has increasingly used the social media platform as a microphone to amplify his political views, reposted the scanner audio from crimelsdown.com with two exclamation points.

Nice smear on Libs of TikTok which is famous for simply reposting hard-left TikToks!

Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th, whose ward encompasses the building, also confirmed that migrants were not wreaking havoc at the property Monday. After the city decided to open the shelter at the former Wadsworth Elementary School in February, there was intense pushback from community members in Taylor’s ward who said the city was spending money on asylum-seekers while ignoring longstanding residents who have needed resources and support for decades.

Because Alderwoman Jeannette Taylor is the end-all, be-all expert without a political agenda.

Riiighhttttt.