Showdown brewing between cops and protesters in Chicago

Chicago Police Will Patrol Rejected Protest Site
City Prepares For Saturday Anti-War Protest

CHICAGO -- Chicago Police gave warning to a group of anti-war protesters Friday who plan to congregate downtown this weekend, despite being denied a permit, to commemorate a demonstration last year that resulted in more than 500 arrests.

"We believe in the First Amendment and the freedom of speech and freedom to assemble," Jefferson Park District Cmdr. Neil Sullivan said at a news conference announcing a large number of police would be on hand at the intended site of Michigan Avenue and Pearson Street Saturday morning.

"But they will not be marching down Michigan Avenue," Sullivan said a police headquarters, regarding to route proposed by rally organizers in the denied permit petition, which predicted there could be as many as 4,000 marchers.

The anti-war protest is scheduled for noon Saturday, 90 minutes before the permitted rally at Federal Plaza, NBC5's Rob Elgas reported.

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The organizers do have a permit for the rally at Federal Plaza, and several feed marches are supposed to converge there for a 1:30 p.m. start. The city is refusing to allow them to go down the Mag Mile, a stretch of Michigan Avenue lined with upscale stores.

The cops offered an alternate route, which is usually pretty desolate on the weekend — easier for them to control the crowds but relegating the protesters to obscurity. Organizers are adamant about the route because the start is where so many were arrested last year after taking over Lake Shore Drive. They say they want to finish what they started for its symbolic value.


So, do you think the cops are bluffing? How ugly do you think it's going to get?

I'm going but I have to keep a low profile because I'm scheduled to go to work later in the afternoon. What I plan to do is bring my camera and notebook and document things. I'm going to dress to blend and skip a sign so I have my hands free for shooting pics.

Any words of wisdom or advice from veteran protesters?

goes out to the people of Chicago who will march tomorrow. Your time will come in November - and then remember every blow, every lie, every snide remark and snub. And vote the fuckers out.

V

... last year, you might want to bring a small jar of vaseline or the like to put on your face and hands if it gets ugly. Damp handkerchief to put over your face. If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair, if you have them. Keep the camera strap well-wound around your wrist so it can't be taken from you easily.

Let's hope there are many more out there than last year.

Cheers, and good luck.

but what would be the benefit of the vaseline?

I already was planning on bringing water and a bandana.

... mostly from mace, mostly because it acts as a barrier between the skin and the chemical. Doesn't help with the mucous membranes, though, so the vinegar-soaked cloth is a good idea, too.

Cheers.

vinegar soaked bandanas to wrap around your nose and mouth. Soak 'em in vinegar overnight, and then put them in a ziplock bag to bring with.

I've never experienced the crowd control tear gasses, but I've got plenty of experience in the lab with lachrymators, and most need a direct route to your eyes. Simply inhaling them does nothing if you've got proper eye protection.

It's hydrophobic. It will trap tear gas and pepper spray and it will stick to your skin. It will only make things worse.

Kind of like NOT putting butter on burns. I do think I have some swim goggles laying around somewhere. Thanks for the advice.

they have been talking about is all week. they have a piece about the movie that was made about last years "event". tonight they had a piece about police spying. they had organizers from last year that said they were singled out for arrest, and known to the police.
i hope they remember-

Gotta keep that traffic moving. The car's freedom is superior to an individual's. <end>

Best wishes to all peace marchers. Show 'em we mean business. Show 'em we won't take war for an answer!

but we would disrupt SHOPPING!

Some of the stores along this stretch:
*Bloomingdales
* Marshall Fields
* Neiman Marcus
* Saks Fifth Avenue/Chicago Place Shopping Center
* Pottery Barn

The only time I've gotten hassled protesting has been along this stretch when I was carrying my sign to or from something. It's a Republican mecca.

I may go to the plaza gathering tomorrow, I won't march--will be running errands in the early morning.

A large enough crowd can do what it likes ...