Activists prepare for NATO/G-8

In preparation for the NATO/G-8 summits set to take place in Chicago May 19-21, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's two proposed ordinances to limit protests during the summits were passed last  by City Council.

The first of the ordinances tightens rules for parade organizers, and the second increases the fine for protesters accused of resisting arrest. Members of Occupy Chicago refer to the changes as "Sit-Down-and-Shut-Up Ordinances."

"Occupy is currently figuring out its plans for NATO/G-8 and how we can peacefully protest this undemocratic summit given the mayor's absurd and unconstitutional ordinances limiting free speech," Occupy Chicago Press Liaison Evelyn DeHais said.

Some Aldermen, however, applauded Emanual for passing the ordinances, which were significantly retracted versions of previous proposals.

Occupy Chicago had a meeting titled "What Next in the Fight Against NATO and the G-8 in Chicago?" Sunday at Kent Law School. The meeting was to discuss the passage of the ordinances and what Occupy Chicago can do to protest the summits.

Occupy Chicago Education Coordinator Ben Schacht advocates joining CANG8, an opposition group to the NATO/G-8 summits.

"The Chicago City Council, in an act of utter cowardice, crammed through the Millionaire Mayor's anti-protest ordinance," Schacht said. "We will be discussing our ongoing plans to fight for civil liberties and free speech in Chicago while also planning how to build and organize the broadest movement possible to oppose the presence of the global one percent in Chicago."

The Occupy Chicago Labor Working Group will host the "Workers Power" conference Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Teamsters Union Hall at 300 S. Ashland, and the Occupy Chicago Education Committee and the Coalition Against Corporate Higher Education will contribute to the March 1 National Day of Action for Students.

"Both groups have endorsed the call for nationwide action, which can be seen at occupyed.org," Schacht said.

Occupy Chicago will hold events in the spring to raise awareness about NATO/G-8 and why the organization believes it is "bad for Chicago, America and the world."