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Occupiers Target 'Mayor 1% Emanuel's' Anti-Protest Ordinance
Occupy Rogers Park, Occupy the South Side campaign against Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's NATO/G-8 ordinance; "This measure is a permanent attack on public protest in the City of Chicago."
Last month Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced anti-protester legislation for the upcoming NATO and G-8 summits in Chicago.
photo: Justin Bianchi
Chicago's WBEZ reported:
"During the summits, which could draw thousands of protesters, Emanuel wants to increase the minimum fine from $25 to $200 and double the maximum fine to $1,000. His proposed ordinance would also close parks, playgrounds and beaches overnight for longer periods of time."
This past Tuesday, Emanuel clarified that these measures would in fact be permanent, and not just during the time of the summits. From WBEZ:
In fact, Emanuel said his proposal to dramatically increase fines for protesters who resist arrest - even passively - should be permanent. Some of the other sweeping powers the mayor is seeking - one would allow his office to unilaterally approve some city contracts - would expire once the May summits are over, he said.
This morning, Occupy Chicago reacted harshly to Emanuel's plan, which they call the 'Sit Down and Shut Up' ordinance. From the Occupy Chicago website:
This ordinance consists of a host of bureaucratic tools created by and for the 1% to relegate, abridge, fine, arrest, and silence our speech. It is an attempt to bully and intimidate with increased police power and fines the brave working people who demand the ability to participate democratically in the organizing of our society. It is an attempt, by the 1%, to restrict and regulate the voice of the people when it upsets the structure that put them in power. The timing of the ordinance demonstrates that it has nothing to do with public safety but that its sole purpose is to stifle the voice and trample upon the constitutional liberties of all the people of Chicago. It is the blatant criminalizing of any public assembly that does not serve the interest of the 1%. It is the handcuffing of democracy. Occupy Chicago condemns this ordinance and demands that they be revoked. Those who are on the side of the democracy of the 99% will stand with us.
This morning, Occupy the South Side and Occupy Rogers Park delivered a warning to all of the city's aldermen, indicating that if they supported the mayor's resolution, they should expext strong resistance.
From their letter to the aldermen:
As you are no doubt aware, Mayor Emanuel sponsored this ordinance and has promoted it in the media as a "temporary" measure aimed at controlling protesters during specified events taking place later this year. As you've surely read, the Mayor has since been forced to retract his claim that these changes were ever meant to be temporary. Another blatant inconsistency is that the ordinance applies to the entire city, while the NATO and G8 summits occur only downtown. Other inconsistencies in the presentation of this ordinance are similarly problematic.
Given what the ordinance actually says, it cannot be construed as an effort to protect the integrity of G8 and NATO conferences. This measure is a permanent attack on public protest in the City of Chicago. The consequences of this attack will be far reaching, and will be felt by protesters throughout the city, most of whom will never have any connection to the protests associated with these events.
As you are also aware, we celebrate the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 16, 2012. Dr. King's legacy is not one of obedience to municipal authorities, but rather the inspiring story of a man who led a community that was willing to face down oppressive lawmakers by violating exactly the type of ordinance the Mayor is asking you to support.
It is difficult to overstate the contrast between celebrating the life and work of Dr. King on Monday, and codifying the suppression of dissent on Wednesday.
Occupy Chicago intends to keep the campaign up until January 18th, when the vote on the ordinances is scheduled.
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57 Comments so far
Show AllThis is the expansion of the Oakland Doctrine, presently being deployed in that city, which is using systematic terroristic Police harassment to target and silence Occupy organizers and activists.
Combine this with the Halliburton/KBR 'FEMA camps', the Citizens United ruling and the recent NDAA signing, and you have a pretty good idea of what it's going to be like to be a protestor in 2013 onwards.
The 1% know their game is over, and they intend to take as many of you with them as they can.
So. What are you going to DO about it? Cuz protests aren't doing shit.
Good article! Or as those in London would say "Quite."
Hey what would MLK do?
If the 1% is intent on criminalizing protest, then they must be prepared for riots.
Occupy is a harbinger of an international social tsunami.
Protests
Strikes
Riots
Revolutions
Civil Wars
The oligarchy, the capitalist imperialists, the NWO, whatever you want to call them, seem to be gearing up for massive confrontation and civil mayhem.
The resistance seems a step or two behind the beat from an organizational POV.
hard cold wind everywhere
Is This a story from China?
It's a multinational story!
China, Greece, Spain, the US, the UK, Ireland Chile, Egypt, Tunesia, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen ..
Viva la Iceland!!!...I'm getting tired. Anybody want to add?
Pretty to think so, but how well has it actually worked in Egypt et al.?
Dogmatic Ghandian pacifism rears it's head again, I see. Nonviolence means you have already surrendered.
And yet I bow to the Tunesian man who set himself aflame.
Was he dogmatic?
Congratulations on the dumbest comment so far this week. And that's saying something!
Oh gee the masses are so inconvenient, better make it illegal for them to collectively speak, just like Wisconsin and Ohio. They need to be scrubbing toilets, not speaking, who do they think they are?
Where's the companion legislation to restrict and fine the NATO/G8 warmongers to ensure that when they organize in their rtizy Chicago hotels no harm occurs to the city/nation/world from their devious plans?
Shouldn't there also be laws stating how many of these NATO criminals can be in one room at the same time, the hours they're allowed to meet and how they can conduct their sessions?
Why is the 99% subject to harsh penalties pertaining to the shape of their organizing but there's no laws (and no discussion) dictating how the G8 can organize?
After all, which group is more dangerous to civil society, the 99% or NATO/G8?
I propose a million dollar fine if any two NATO/G8 officials are in a room together for more than ten minutes. These people are a menace to world peace and I demand a police presence watching them at all times.
Yes, especially as we are the ones paying them to represent us! How did the tables get turned so?
NATO / G8, these conferences should be held in Fairbanks, Alaska or Elk Mountain, Wyoming. It would sure be lots cheaper, no security problems, and the large city's traffic and population would not be disrupted. If they want to be separate and isolated, then GO.
Is this the person that Obama chose to help him run the country? No wonder our civil and constitutional rights are in such deep shit! When it hits the fan perhaps the Chicago voters will see the error of their ways and pay attention for the next election.
I do agree with you, but vote for who? Willard Mitt Romney? Republican law makers? Who?
Vote for Rocky Anderson of the Justice Party. Rocky is progressive. Obama says he is a liberal but he's really a conservative.
Rocky Anderson is a worthwhile candidate. Alone, he doesn't stand a chance.
Same with Jill Stein.
Same with Buddy Roemer.
Same with Ralph Nader, should he choose to challenge.
But together, if they all collaborated and co-joined their campaigns, and made sure everyone who supports the Occupy Movement voted for this one party they coalesced around, then maybe, there is enough of a FED UP factor, a protest vote to challenge the corrupt way this country is run. Otherwise, divided we LOSE.
I like the thrust of your suggestion! But who's going to persuade them to co-join their campaigns?
"B-b-b-but if it weren't for those nasty Republicans in Congress then none of this would happen! RE's just waiting for his second term to show his true colors!"
I'm just saving the Dem apologists a little time by concocting nonsensical excuses for them.
Go, Occupy Chicago!
Your protests are definitely doing something, otherwise the "elected representatives" wouldn't be so blatant as they become dictators.
We need more numbers, more Occupy! members. Come one, come all to your local Occupy! You don't really want only the rich to have the ability to dissent, do you?
Go, Occupy Chicago!
Your protests are definitely doing something, otherwise the "elected representatives" wouldn't be so blatant as they become dictators.
We need more numbers, more Occupy! members. Come one, come all to your local Occupy! You don't really want only the rich to have the ability to dissent, do you?
What else would one expect from an Israeli soldier?
Yea, and his father was in the Irgun gang in Nazi Germany that terrorized the cities and then went on to terrorize Palestine when they went and stole their land to create the fake state of Israel. He is a dual Israeli citizen. They are attempting to turn the US into the United States of Israel, run by all the zionist crazies. All the people of Chicago should immediately recall Emanual for violating his oath of office - to protect and defend the constitution (which is to protect OUR rights). He is a self appointed dictator wannabe. Watch out Chicago, the writing is on the wall, don't wait and see - Demand he resign or remove his pompous ass from power.
So when will Rahm Israel Emanuel start erecting apartheid walls to isolate the 99% population from his chosen 1%? Are HSA internment camps or gulags to be next.
Real Jews value compassion and justice.
Rahm Emanuel has said of his Judaism: "I am proud of my heritage and treasure the values it has taught me."
Go back to ballet dancing Rahm-bo.
Simply put, if they don't want protesters, quit doing things that make protesting necessary in the first place! The object of protesting is, and always will be, free speech. That is "free" not something others can charge you for because you are doing it by using fines and imprisonment. Actions like these are only going to bring more people into the streets, it is just a matter of time, and when they go to jail, they will stay there rather than bail themselves out, similar to what happened in Birmingham. Excessive fines and punishment that exceed the norm should also be challenged in court under the equal justice provisions of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The last time something like this happened in Chicago was the 1968 Democratic Convention. Before it is over The Mayor will be wishing he had kept his distance, just like Dailey wished he had in 1968.
We all need to stop using his religion/ethnicity to berate him. We have self described "Christians" and Mormons running for the Repub nomination, all toadying the Wall Street/corporate doctrine - more for them, less for us. Their attitude, mimic'd by Emanuel, has it's basis in greenbacks not religion.
We call out the religious christian right people.
Why should not the zionists right-wing war mongers be treated the same way
That's discrimination - and spinning the "suffering people" card
Let's remember it is not the Israelis that were made homeless refugees by the well-equipped zionist militias
AY!!men. Am I ever glad to see this comment! THANK YOU.
Sorry for the ambiguity of my previous comment. I was replying to mountainview before owldog's comment had appeared. Methinks this thread is getting a bit convoluted by now, so I'll shut up. ;-)
I agree that Rahm's religion is not the important factor here.
His deep connections to the Chicago political machine, his bankster allegiances and his zionist biases have always been foul and nasty.
Also, drawing comparisons and highlighting the links between the US and Israeli police states is another area of legitimate concern. Rahm personifies these concerns.
I have never liked the little twerp Emanuel. He is a Democratic Leadership Council blue dog Democrat while under center-right Obama catered tp the Wall Street goons that caused the second great depression. Let's hop Chicagoans will join OWS in condeming his actions by calling their alderman or councilman or whatever they call them in the city and stand up for civil disobedience.
Taxpayer money should NOT be used to ensure security for taxpayers who wish
to gather in protest, but rather to pay for costly security measures for participants of conferences which will increase the power of the 1% (like Nato and the G-8). Trouble makers who wish to create unrest need to be penalized and discouraged
from criticizing the inconsistencies in the US democratic system of government. Who believes that taxes collected from the 99% are for their benefit, to be used to promote the public good? Those who do need to keep quiet and not raise a ruckus in the streets.
I would agree with those who say "go home" to Emanuel. But really, the Palestinians already have it bad enough. My wish is that the Occupiers in the US wake up to the plight of the Occupied Palestinians and say "yes" to justice for all.
Rahm, don't go home. Go to h...!
Your wish reminds me of the beginning phrase, "The government needs to do something about..." over the long years of my life. We came to expect everything to be taken care of by the government, and while the government solved all of our problems, we the people forgot how to do things for ourself. ---------------------------------------------------------The Occupiers in the US are already loaded down with the growing numbers of issues concerning the plight of the citizens in the US, and dealing with their own safety in the process. There are plenty of people not with the Occupy movement in this country who can worry about those in other countries.
Can we cool it on the "hate" speech. We need to be sensitive to history. This is no way to behave, and it can get out of control real fast. Like folks protesting who yelled at the cops acting badly: "shame, shame, shame." That applies here too.
The man's religious belief system is completely irrelevant to what his happening everywhere in this country. If we scapegoat one particular ethnicity or religion or race, it destroys all the good you are trying to fight for and all the evil you are fighting against.
The same thing is going on in Israel, but the media refuses to report it. Thousands of protestors Palestinians and Israelis, left-wingers who are no longer afraid of being called "worse than hitler" by the Israeli far right (which is in power)
Thanks, rgardener98. I feel quite strongly on just what you're addressing. Hugely appreciate finding posts like this one of yours. How's about a "Cool the Hate Speech Movement"? :-( ;-)
Well said fellow gardener.
sewer-mouth Rahm lives up to his legacy - he wants to treat us like Israel treats Palestinians
There is going to be an "Occupy the Courts" rally to protest the Supreme Courts ruling in CU vs. FEC.
It is Friday, January 20, from 11:30 PM - 1:00 PM at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse Plaza at 230 South Dearborn St in Chicago.
Then, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM there is a March to Occupy Chicago at LaSalle and Jackson. Get out there and support the planners.
If something is to be done to fix the mess our country is in it is up to you and me.
.. and it isn't just till the 18th and it isn't just in Chicago.
Well, I don't think I can top 'fucking Zionist retard' or 'Zionist dirtbag'.. so I'm off to see if I can mount a petition on Avaaz against what this fascist asshole has in mind. Watch your back there, Emanuel boy - WE ARE COMING AFTER YOU.
Move along jerk.
Would it be wise to assume that the apartied, Israeli approach to community is the intended social structure of .1% on this country? Assuming that it is, it would be less of a surprise to find tools of oppression in front of us and give us better perspective for planning how to deal with these other versions of sanity and humanity.
Chicago is a good place in which to confront Das Kapital. It is home to the "Chicago School of Ekonomiks", where down is up and up is down. Milton Friedman corrupted the minds of many thousands of university students there who went on to drive "supply-side" and "laissez-faire" dogma into the Merkan experience, without the consent of the people. I hope your instinct is to use the sledgehammer against such a process. Supply side basically means: "Don't demand what you want, rather, shut up and take what you get." I think your instinct is to defy Chicago and demand what you want, in response to that. Demand local production, that is, production by the people, for the people, by/for your local community. I think you know that process will put the sledgehammer to "supply-side" ekonomiks. Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Commodities Board. Those places are where commodities, materials, are traded globally in a "casino royale" speculation frenzy, driven by mad greed, causing massive hardships/instabilities in the lives of the people. High-roller is an understatement in casino royale. Confront Das Kapital in Chicago, Wall-Struck's twin crime hive. Crimes against humanity are institutionalized there. It's teetering on the brink of collapse. Won't take much to knock it off.
Thanks for my first laugh of the evening, "RT"! I'm not "laffing at you"; it's just that I really enjoyed the Chicago/Milton Friedman opener of your post. Are you a Chicagoan?
speech is money
that's all folks
got
in their pocket
99% of the speech
But even if the mayor and the Chicago Aldermen don't impose these measures the Red Guard or Red Brigade - whatever they're called - will be out in force spying on any particular or perceived "threat" to public order in Chicago.
The other side of the coin is that OWS - and I support them - needs to become very strategic with concrete demands aimed at carrying out institutional and structural reform. Protest is fine - but you've got to have specific things you're for, organize and fight for them.
Well we know Obama was awfully good at picking the people he wanted around him and in his administration. Why are any liberals still supporting these fascists?