The bridge over the Chicago River, 2003.
On the day the US invaded Iraq in 2003, Bush’s war against weapons of mass destruction that never existed, we headed down to the Federal Plaza to protest.
So did 20,000 other Chicago folks.
After the usual round of speeches that nobody listens to, the crowd surged down Jackson, headed for Lake Shore Drive. If somebody was in charge, we didn’t know who.
The crowd was spirited and angry. But peaceful.
Soon we were marching down Michigan Avenue. Young people were climbing on to the median pumping picket signs and chanting. Cars were honking their horns. Some in frustration at the stalled traffic. Some in solidarity. You couldn’t tell which was which.
Before long, the march was on Lake Shore Drive on the bridge that crosses the Chicago River.
I wasn’t too comfortable with this. A bridge over the river. The police had blocked the exit off the drive that takes you down to Grand. Nobody could get off. We were now corralled on the drive. Blocked at Michigan by another line of police. Blocked from getting off at the exit. The only way out was back into the crowd of thousands that was surging forward.
Certainly the police knew exactly what they were doing.
We did manage to circle back. But others were caught at Michigan and Walton. In response, some protesters sat in the street. Others tried to escape the blockade, but were prevented from doing so by the cops. Soon the arrests began, Among those arrested were people who happened to be walking by.
Today, the city agreed to a settlement of $6.2 million dollars in a class action suit. Those charged and detained will receive up to $15000.
The National Lawyers Guild, in conjunction with the People’s Law Office, worked on the case for nine years. The People’s Law Office said in a statement:
“Based on our collective experience litigating police misconduct cases for decades, we feel very positive about this settlement and about the amount of compensation for each sub-class member. We also believe that such a significant settlement will send an unequivocal message to the City of Chicago and its Police Department that they must respect your right to demonstrate.”The settlement isn’t only a victory for the participants in the class action suit, it also affects future demonstrations. According to the People’s Law Office, the court opinion holds that the City cannot arrest peaceful demonstrators without warning, solely because they do not have a permit, and will apply to future demonstrations. Rachael Perrotta, a member of the class action suit and current participant in Occupy Chicago, said “The last time the CPD faced huge protests, they violated the constitutional rights of over 700 people. If the CPD has the right to deputize police officers from other cities during the NATO/G8 summits, as well as private security, how will law enforcement be held accountable?”
Should this be viewed as a warning to Rahm and to how he might respond to the NATO and G8 protests next May?
I would think it should.
Won’t you please come to Chicago.
Fred Klonsky 