Image showing Chicago River dyed red for DNC is altered
Recent social media activity and news reports show no evidence the Chicago River has been dyed red.
CLAIM
A photo circulating on social media claimed the Chicago River was dyed red by the Democratic National Convention to “celebrate” abortion rights.
BACKGROUND
The photo was published on Monday, August 19, on social media platform X, linking it to an article titled, “DNC Dyes Chicago River Red To Celebrate Abortion”.
The article was published by Babylon Bee, a website that describes itself as “the world’s best satire site” that writes “satire about Christian stuff, political stuff, and everyday life.”
The image has since been reshared many times on social media, with thousands of views and likes across different platforms.
The Babylon Bee article was published as the Democratic Party holds its four-day convention in Chicago from August 19 to 22.
Seth Dillon, the CEO of The Babylon Bee, replied to a comment on X on the accuracy of the picture, saying, “It was more obviously satire when the Bee posted it.”
METHOD
A reverse-search image directed us to drone footage published by CBS News Chicago on March 16, showing the Chicago River dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The city celebrates St. Patrick’s Day by dyeing the Chicago River in green, an annual tradition dating back to the 1960s. The ESN has cleared images showing the celebrations here and here.
The drone image and the recent social media picture feature the same scene under similar light conditions, with the main difference being the colour of the river.
On the right-hand side of the image, two boats are visible before the bridge, and three boats are visible after the bridge, with matching positions and colours. Images of crowds and vehicles on nearby roads also match.
A boat featured in the lower left corner of the social media picture is very pixilated and does not appear in the drone screengrab.
The picture showing the alleged red-dyed river is of lower quality and more pixelated, indicating it is not an original file.
Journalists and activists have been actively posting updates from Chicago this week, as the Democratic Party is holding its convention to recognise Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for November’s presidential election.
Several events and protests are taking place across the city, including pro-Palestine demonstrations near the DNC venue and the Israeli embassy.
Recent social media activity and news reports show no evidence the Chicago River has been dyed red.
Other false information regarding the DNC’s role in abortion initiatives has been shared this week, with right-wing media claiming the DNC was offering Chicago attendees free abortions and vasectomies.
The organisation Planned Parenthood is offering free abortion medication, emergency contraception and vasectomies at a mobile clinic at the same time as the convention in Chicago, but the DNC is not involved.
RATING
A photo circulating on social media claiming the Chicago River was dyed in red by the Democratic National Convention to “celebrate” abortion rights is altered.
SOURCES
“DNC Dyes Chicago River Red To Celebrate Abortion“, The Babylon Bee [Published on August 19, accessed on August 21]
X (formerly Twitter) (2024) Seth Dillon, the CEO of The Babylon Bee on X [Published on August 19, accessed on August 21]
“Dyeing of Chicago River, St. Patrick’s Day Parade have everyone bedecked in green” [Published on March 16, accessed on August 21]
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