I'm sure you've all heard the national news concerning the NATO - especially the preemptive raids against several activists this week or the thousands of Occupiers who have come to Chicago to lend the their is to the call to end international military organizations. This diary is about the trip - about the movement and about what we hope to accomplish. The story about the police just highlights what we are up against as citizen journalists, activists, and people who hope to make the world a better place for our children.
The National Lawyers Guild contends:
…Police broke down a door to access a 6-unit apartment building near 32nd & Morgan Streets without a search warrant. Police entered an apartment with guns drawn and tackled one of the tenants to the floor in his kitchen. Two tenants were handcuffed for more than 2 hours in their living room while police searched their apartment and a neighboring unit, repeatedly calling one of the tenants a “Commie faggot.” A search warrant produced 4 hours after police broke into the apartment was missing a judge’s signature, according to witnesses. Among items seized by police in the Bridgeport raid were beer-making supplies and at least one cell phone…
The Police have also been using something I've become familiar with in NYC:
…3 plainclothes police officers unlawfully stopped, handcuffed, and searched a NATO protester on Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive at approximately 2pm today [Thursday, May 17]. According to the protester, he did not consent to a search and there was no probable cause to detain him. The police also photographed and questioned him about where he was from, how he got to Chicago, how long it took, what he was doing here, where he was staying, who he was with, and how long he was planning to say in Chicago. The protester refused to answer any questions and was eventually released…
Please Join me below the squggly cheeto.
For the past 15 hours since Wednesday night I have been on a Bus heading west for Nato. I come with a group called 99Solidarity. 99Solidarity has been actively working with the NNU or National Nurses Union in cordinating this trip. The National Nurses Union booked five buses in NYC alone to bring activists from OWS to Chicago. I've heard of buses from Boston, New Hampshire, LA, Tampa, and from across the country!
From 99Solidarity:
The 99% Solidarity Meet Up will be held at 10am Sat. May 19th in Chicago
With this rare and unique opportunity of gathering of occupiers who are among the most dedicated and brave in our movement, we’ve started the invitation to our 1,100 occupiers from 14 cities who have sign-up for the Chicago actions with the 99Solidarity Chicago Bus Trip to formulate meeting agenda two weeks ago. The topics have been voted and commented on in the past two weeks, and the following are the voting results based on which, we will prioritize the order of discussion
Mass Outreach 50%
Building Alliances 46%
Campaign & actions 46%
Forming National Organization 43%
Anti-NATO 43%
Formulate Demands 35.7%
Additional topics suggested 17.9% (combining all suggestions)
That's me on the far right sitting down with the giant backpack on my shoulders. We had pulled into a waystation for a break and some lunch before continuing on.I just got a voltaic solar backpack so I'll be eco friendly and never lose power. It's been a great trip so far. Apparently we got the mellow bus which consisted of us chanting, making dumb 1% jokes, charging cell phones with external power and wondering why they keep showing just Martin Lawrence movies.
The group 99 Solidarity and the NNU provided us with food, water, and ample information to find places to stay. When we arrived off the bus last night we were broken up into three groups. I ended up going with the group that didn't bring any camping stuff. I packed light and thought we would be staying in a church or on the bus (I was wrong) .. The church however turned out to be right. We were herded towards a church dubbed the Convention Center where we were served hot food, given what spare blankets, and supplies they had and allowed to gather and sing around a piano with some of my favorite occupiers from NYC. I keep hearing (and have believed) that occupy has been primarily a secular movement - but after sleeping in churches and seeing the outreach that religious groups or at least liberal leaning ones have been carrying out their mission of helping those in need. It is a beautiful thing.
I'll be in Chicago till Monday evening. If you feel like putting up an occupier or three don't hesitate to send me a message. Also I'll be liveblogging, tweeting, and perhaps livestreaming different events during the next few days. I'll be posting diaries in the evening or morning - or depending when I have power in my computer.
We have been up against our very favorite Chicago Mayor and Former Presidential Chief of Staff. At first the permit to gather in the park was revoked because police and Rahm feared Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine would be to big of a draw. The permit was then reinstated after they faced a firestorm from NLG and Unions that support the protests.
From Firedoglake:
Many protesters have already traveled here. Hundreds are on buses headed to Chicago. Journalists and photographers are flying here to cover the summit. Security fencing made up of heavy metal has gone up around McCormick Place convention center where the summit will be held. The Field Museum will be closed. Wireless carriers have boosted their capacity for the summit. Chicago police will be on edge because they have to work long hours and, like Rahm Emanuel, they pretty much loathe activists.
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I have to get down to the NNU march now. I'll be posting a photo diary this evening with a recap of the events of the day. So far the trip has been great and I hope it stays that way. If I'm arrested - well this will be my last diary for the trip then but I hope that does not happen.
Please follow me on twitter if you want to see pictures throughout the day or follow some HashTags
#99SBUs - #NATO - #NoNato - @99solidarity - @AustinWeslyHill - #RobinHoodTax -
Before I go I want to expand on the RobinHoodTax that is one of the primary reasons the NNU is marching today. It would level a 1 percent tax on financial transactions for Wallstreet/stock/derivative trades. This simple change could raise billions for social programs that have seen unprecedented levels of attacks by republicans and their cronies.
I'll check in and comment throughout the day and post more later.
Peace.
10:49 AM PT: Currently at the NNU rally. There is over 1000 people in the crowd. Listening to the unions talk about the international robinhood tax and chanting. There are plenty of live streamers here so look for a feed or if sOmeone could post one that would be great. The crowd is peaceful and the day is starting off beautifully. We plan to march from the square to I am not sure where. Unions are saying we are here for all the people who can't be here today.
10:49 AM PT: Currently at the NNU rally. There is over 1000 people in the crowd. Listening to the unions talk about the international robinhood tax and chanting. There are plenty of live streamers here so look for a feed or if sOmeone could post one that would be great. The crowd is peaceful and the day is starting off beautifully. We plan to march from the square to I am not sure where. Unions are saying we are here for all the people who can't be here today.
11:10 AM PT: Wisconsin is in the house! From the stage is coming calls to Recall Walker! that austerity is not the answer and that a 1 percent tax on financial transactions like the have in some countries in europe would generate over 360 billion dollars per year. Tom Morello is coming on stage now
11:40 AM PT: They are on their 4th song now - the singer from rise against is on stage. We are talking about how it would be the 100th birthday of woody guthrie - just led the crowd in this land is my land. Calling for everyone to come on stage. Fantastic performance. Better than Mayday