When the Columbus statue was taken down in Newark weeks ago, I posted a clip from the Sopranos as a reference to roughly who the opposing sides were on that issue : members of indigenous Nations and Italian Americans.
About others co-opting BLM and the protests, I completely agree with boy here. Different groups are using the protest movement as cover to push their agendas and plans through. They will never have less resistance from the system than they do right now, and are taking full advantage of it. Some Black people have been falling for the okey doke from the jump ,though. Doing things, promoting things, and supporting things that are NOT in their best interests and being used like pawns.
Chicago taking this statue down now is a smart move. Do it ahead of the feds coming in, and you give outside agitators one less reason to be in the city "protesting". They can do some silly Village People parade as a victory lap, and pat themselves on the back.
The public showdown between feds and protestors that Trump wants for political purposes , is going to have one less staging area.
The mayor is playing chess here on Trump and the protestors. With fewer "protests" to break up, maybe the feds cop/troops that Trump is sending in can bolster the CPD to do real police work.