The people stand against the NATO Summit in Chicago

The people stand against the NATO Summit in Chicago.

The people stand against the NATO Summit in Chicago

Report and photos from the demonstration

MAY 21, 2012

 

 

 

The ANSWER Coalition published the report below.

 

“NATO: Shut it Down! Wall Street: Shut it Down! Homeland Security: Shut it Down!” That forceful chant rang out as protesters, many thousands strong, marched on the NATO Summit on May 20 in Chicago.

 

Responding with determination in the face of an organized campaign of government threats and intimidation aimed at anti-NATO protesters, an impressive number of young people, union members, antiwar organizations and community members filled the streets to demand “U.S./NATO Out of Afghanistan Now!” during the opening day of the NATO Summit.

 

The Coalition Against NATO/G8 War and Poverty Agenda (CANG8) estimates the crowd size as about 15,000.

 

In the week leading up to the NATO Summit, thousands of people marched and rallied in Chicago. The actions included a large rally of nurses demanding higher taxes on the rich and a march on Mayor Emanuel’s house, 1,000 people strong, which demanded “Health Care not Warfare!”

 

People came in buses, by train and by car caravan from all over the country to take a stand in Chicago against imperialist war and capitalist austerity.

 

In a moving display of solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and the Middle East at the end of the march, Afghanistan and Iraq veterans took off their medals and hurled them toward the NATO Summit grounds. One of those who returned his medals, Marine Vince Emmanuelli, said: “Our enemies are right here and we look at them every day. … They are the millionaires and billionaires who control this planet and we’ve had enough of it.” (WBEZ Chicago)

 

Months-long campaign against protesters

 

Though the military machines of NATO are the greatest purveyors of violence in the world, local and federal law enforcement agencies and the media engaged in a months-long attack campaign against protesters and protest groups.

 

The Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild set up a 24-hour hotline to provide support for people who were arrested before and during the NATO protest.

 

Prior to the May demonstration, the NLG Chicago chapter reported:

 

“More than two-dozen people had been arrested so far in the lead up to the NATO summit. At least 7 arrestees in addition to the ones with terrorism-related charges are currently in custody.

 

“During a Wednesday night house raid, police broke down the doors of multiple apartment units with guns drawn and searched residences without a warrant or consent. In addition to 9 arrests made that night, NLG attorneys believe that two undercover police or confidential informants were arrested with the others and were later released. Of the 9 activists arrested, 6 were released without any charges despite being shackled for at least 18 hours in solitary confinement and denied access to attorneys.”

 

At the May 20 mass march, a police mob surrounded and brutally attacked the demonstration as it was winding down, swinging their clubs at people’s heads and injuring many dozens. At least 45 people were arrested. Among those injured were ministers, community activists, journalists and others who tried to rescue people from police.

 

‘The people will not be bullied or silenced by the police and government’

 

The ANSWER Coalition in Chicago went all out to build the March on the NATO Summit, both through street outreach and social media outlets, and had a big presence at the protest with banners and placards and large amplified sound that unified large numbers of marchers with booming chants. The banners and placards read: “No War on Iran! Hands off Syria!”, “Troops Home Now! Money for Jobs and Education!”, “Unite the 99%: Fight Racism!” and “U.S./NATO Out of Afghanistan Now!”

 

Asked what she thought of the protest, ANSWER organizer Ymelda Viramontes said: “Today’s protest shows that the people can and will resist the government and Wall Street’s attempts to bully and silence us. The number of people that came out into the streets of downtown today to show solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, Iran and Syria and demand no U.S. or NATO intervention—that’s a good indication that we can build a powerful movement against war and racism right here in the U.S.”

 

Content may be reprinted with credit to LiberationNews.org.

Syria and Deliberate Ignorance

If you listen to the news about Syria, it’s hard not to be confused. News outlets like CNN make a lot of saying that the “people of Syria” are rising up against their government. What this is really about is ex-pats and outside forces conspiring to destabilize Syria. This is another case of American imperialism. Then comes a story on CNN about a French journalist killed in Syria while covering protests. What kind of protest was this poor journalist killed at, and how did he die?  According to CNN, the French journalist Gilles Jacquier of the France 2 TV network was killed while covering a PRO-GOVERNMENT rally. While at the rally, a mortar round was fired at the PRO-GOVERNMENT rally, killing Gilles, and 8 Syrian nationals as well. Syria’s official news agency SANA said the country’s Information Ministry expressed “deep regret and sorrow” over the deaths of Jacquier and eight “martyrs.” From CNN: Syria’s official news agency SANA said the country’s Information Ministry expressed “deep regret and sorrow” over the deaths of Jacquier and eight “martyrs.” Ok, that seems normal. Maybe CNN will just report the news this time instead of trying to manipulate the news to their advantage. Oh, wait, what’s that now? That’s too much to hope for? I guess it was. They follow with this load of tripe: “But in the aftermath, questions emerged about who would have attacked such a rally: resistance fighters vilified by the regime or pro-government forces trying to undermine the opposition.” What the F%$#? Are you effin serious CNN? You’re suggesting the government mortared their own rally? Really? They attacked the rally /in favor of/ the government? *Headdesk 10*

If CNN is what passes as journalism these days….

Simply put, CNN continues to move to the right, even stooping so low as to throw out ridiculous speculative conspiracy theories with no proof or backing of any kind. Shame on you CNN, fucking shame.

P.S. Next time there’s a terrorist attack in a Western country I will expect you to air every squirrel-brained conspiracy that the US government did it themselves. At least try to be consistent in your dumbassery.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/11/world/meast/syria-journalist-killed/index.html?hpt=hp_bn2