The possibility of a Chicago purge actually occurring has some websites spreading rumors about teenagers murdering 112 people, and some even claim it could lead to police declaring martial law if a Detroit purge or a Chicago purge were to occur.
In a related report by The Inquisitr , when the Louisville purge was supposed to occur, some on social media claimed they heard reports of shootings, men in purge masks, and roving gangs . Police also investigated the higher school student who created the original Louisville purge photo and it turns out he created it as a joke and did not mean to start any panic.
Unfortunately, the rise of social media and webzines also saw the arrival of websites that attempt to parody real news. While The Onion typically manages to pull it off with good humor, other sites will purposefully create celebrity death hoaxes or report false events just to gain traffic.
For example, a website called Cream Bmp Daily created a Chicago purge story that claimed 112 people were murdered by teens wearing purge masks in order to reenact The Purge 2: Anarchy :
“‘It’s almost like Chicago’s trying to beat its on record of people killed in one night,’ said one of Chicago’s finest about a mass killing that took place shortly after the debut of ‘The Purge 2 Anarchy’ movie Friday night. In an reenactment of ‘The Purge 2? movie a group of teens went on a violent killing spree in the city of Chicago claiming the lives of over 112 people.”
This is totally a hoax inspired by the Louisville purge rumors and should not be considered a real threat.
But the threat of Chicago purge or a Detroit purge has some wondering if a situation could develop like the Ferguson riots. For example, an opinion piece in the Liberty Voice wonders whether martial law could occur:
“But if the purge threat comes true and does actually happen this weekend, could this be the beginning of martial law?… ‘The Purge’ was released in 2013 and starred Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey and Max Burkholder. ‘The Purge: Anarchy,’ the film’s sequel, was released on July 18 of this year and starred Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo and Zach Gilford. In both movies, martial law is enforced and victims are required to defend themselves against the potential threats of severe violence…. If the purge threat turns out to be authentic and does, in fact, take place this evening, many people might have to defend themselves if the police are unable to respond to every call. Could this be the beginning of martial law? Police officials and the FBI plan to act accordingly just in case the purge does actually happen…. It has also been documented that there are people determined to enforce the purge in Detroit, Michigan, where the Pop groups One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer are scheduled to perform. In addition, other cities have received similar threats, including Jacksonville, Florida and Jefferson, Indiana.”
Fortunately, the Louisville purge fizzled out, so hopefully the idea for a Chicago purge or a Detroit purge will not result in any incidences of violence mimicking the movie.