Protestors First Amendment rights will be protected. That's why Chicago police just spent over a million dollars on riot gear.
10%
We have been "Colonized by Corporations," so we'll see violent crackdowns supressing the right to peaceably assemble in Chicago.
90%
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Thom's Blog Is On the Move
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It will be interesting to see if/when NRA and mlitia supporters begin to discern their nemisis as those who have bought/bribed government and not the government itself.
Uninfomed sources are saying that the Chicago Police have woken up to the fact that if they use their new riot gear to suppress free speech and the right to peacefully assemble, they are being un- American and, in fact, they had become demoralized and degraded to the point that they themselves might justifiably have been branded state sponsored terrorists. Now the senior officers in the Chicago Police Department have seen the light , fallen on their knees and asked the good Lord for forgiveness. The administration of the Chicago is returning all their newly acquired riot gear to the military industrial complex and exchanging it for olive branches, bouquets of fragrant flowers, and cages filled with white doves. The police plan to release the doves and hand out olive branchs and flowers to calm any disorderly protesters they might encounter.
National Lawyers Guild Decries Terrorism Charges Against Occupy Activists protesting NATO Summit
Preemptive raids, terrorism and conspiracy charges are common characteristics of National Special Security Events
Chicago, IL -- After holding NATO protesters for up to 48 hours, and releasing 6 out of 9 arrestees without any charges, the City of Chicago filed state charges last night against 3 Occupy activists from Florida, including possession of explosives or incendiary devices, material support for terrorism, and conspiracy. On Wednesday night at approximately 11:30pm, police raided a house in the Bridgeport neighborhood, detained several people in multiple apartments, and arrested 9 activists. Police broke down doors with guns drawn and searched residences without a warrant or consent.
"The National Lawyers Guild deplores the charges against Occupy activists in the strongest degree," said Sarah Gelsomino with the NLG and the People's Law Office. "It's outrageous for the city to apply terrorism charges when it's the police who have been terrorizing activists and threatening their right to protest."
NLG attorneys are questioning why it took the city 48 hours, the limit on holding arrestees without a court hearing, to impose such serious charges. Although some accusations of Molotov cocktails have been made by police, they have provided no evidence of criminal intent or wrongdoing on the part of the activists. On Thursday, when asked about the raid at a press conference, Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy knew so little about the alleged terrorism investigation that he said he would have to gather further information before commenting.
The 3 activists charged are Jared Chase, Brent Beterly, and Brian Jacob Church. Last week, all three defendants were surrounded by several police squad cars outside of a CVS, detained for no apparent reason and asked questions about why they were in Chicago and what they planned to do during the NATO summit. One of the defendants recorded the encounter and posted an edited version on YouTube. When Superintendent McCarthy questioned the validity of the footage in the media, the entire video was quickly posted.
More than 20 people have been arrested so far in the lead up to the NATO summit, which begins tomorrow. At least 3 arrestees in addition to the ones charged tonight are still in custody. "Preemptive raids meant to intimidate and stifle dissent are all too common during National Special Security Events, such as the NATO summit," said Gelsomino.
NLG attorneys will be representing the 3 defendants in their criminal cases and will be at their bond hearing tomorrow at 12pm at 2600 South California Ave.
I received the following Notice from the Managers of a downtown chicago condominium building regarding the NATO wealth concentration convention to be held at the McCormick Center in Chicago:
"Based on the information we are receiving from meetings with Homeland Security, it is estimated that 10,000 -50,000 protesters will start arriving in Chicago as early as Monday May 14th."
"The Streeterville neighborhood is expected to be very active with many of the dignitaries staying at local hotels, such as the Sheraton, Hyatt Regency, Fairmont, and Embassy Suites. There are also scheduled events at Navy Pier, AMC, and Lucky Strike."
"The City of Chicago [Under Obama's Rahm Emanuel] and the federal government [ALEC] will establish restricted areas, rolling street closures for up to 80 motorcades per day, and parking restrictions [parking under management by JP Morgan Chase]. It was announced that federal authorities have created a "red zone" in mid-town around several federal buildings, which will be patrolled by troops in full battle gear starting Tuesday May 21."
"The Board and Management will be taking the following steps to protect our residents and our building, Starting Monday Mary 14th through May Tuesday May 22nd:"..............[blah, blah, blah lock down and marshall law by a private authority]
"Here are some additional recommendations from Homeland Security:"
"If possible, leave the city and visit friends and family."
"Work from home, if possible."
"Do any necessary shopping prior to May 14th to avoid the need to get to stores through large crowds and activity[?] in the streets."
"Keep a photo ID on you at all times"