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Fast Eddie's obit left out his best Paddy's Day prank
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Ed Hanrahan in 1970. (AP Photo/Edward S. Kitch, File)
Black Panther sympathizers stormed the funeral last month of former Cook County State’s Attorney Edward V. Hanrahan at St. Giles Catholic Church in Oak Park. According to eyewitness’ in the church, a group of 8-10 black men pushed their way up the middle aisle towards the casket and were then persuaded to leave the church.
Hanrahan was the Cook County State’s Attorney back in 1969 when cops from his office raided an apartment on the west side of Chicago and gunfire ensued, killing two Black Panther leaders, Fred Hampton and Mark Clark. Civil rights advocates called it murder. Hampton and Clark became martyrs, and Hanrahan wore the jacket for that fiasco the rest of his life.
He was eventually cleared of criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice in 1972, but his political career was over. Hanrahan died Tuesday June 9th. He was 88.
At the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade of 1972 Hanrahan pulled off one of the most colorful political stunts in Chicago history, but his act of comic bravado was left out of last month’s blitz of obits that alternately condemned the man or commended his intellect.
Mayor Richard J. Daley and the Cook County Democratic Party wanted nothing to do with Hanrahan after the Black Panther Raid and distanced themselves by refusing to back Fast Eddie for re-election. Hanrahan was unbowed and won the primary, defeating Daley machine surrogate Ray Berg.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Chicago is a scrum for politicians courting votes and the favor of party bosses. Daley stood on the reviewing stand and watched the marchers from Hanrahan’s Office with an emperor's disdainful eye.
According to Chicago Tribune reporter Stephen Crews, “Generally the Hanrahan parade entry was the scene-stealing success the rebellious candidate had hoped. Halfway back in the column, ahead of some, but behind the all-important horses, the state’s attorney led a troupe of more than 100 assistants and boosters who, to a man, ‘love Mayor Daley’.
That message of affection, along with big green hearts, was emblazoned on signs carried by many of the Hanrahan contingent.
The contingent, including a ‘Hanrahan for State’s Attorney' float, traveled up State Street accompanied by their own cheers.”
When they marched by the reviewing stand where Daley was parked, an olive branch of sorts was offered up to the boss. Hanrahan removed his silk top hat and reached into the hat to produce a lone white dove; which he then lifted to the sky, releasing the symbolic bird.
That bird did not fly however and promptly plopped directly to the pavement. Apparently the pigeon was pooped and almost got trampled by the rush of press as they pushed forward to photograph this moment of history.
Hanrahan’s pals then released an additional six doves that were being held in a box in case of emergency. According to the Trib, at least half of them took flight and the rest were “temporarily swallowed up in a crush of news and television reporters.”
Daley laughed.
Maybe he and Eddie Hanrahan are laughing together now that they both have gone to their eternal reward. Wherever they both may be.
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