Protesters chanting "Fight! Fight! Fight! Housing is a human right!" marched in Chicago on Wednesday using the upcoming NATO summit as an opportunity to draw attention to the US foreclosure crisis. Thousands of protesters are expected to descend upon Chicago as the leaders of 50 countries gather for a NATO summit on Sunday and Monday.
"Why can't I live at Citibank, huh?" asked Loren Taylor as he sat on an armchair and rug laid out in front of a Citibank branch in the heart of Chicago's financial district.
"They're kicking me out of my home, why can't I just move in here?"
Police wearing bicycle helmets and bright yellow jackets used their bicycles as barricades to keep the 100 or so protesters on the sidewalk as they marched to the courthouse where foreclosures are processed.
Fears that the protests could turn violent have put the city on edge, with some downtown businesses even telling office workers to ditch their suits and ties and dress down to avoid being hassled or targeted on the streets.
Police and protest organizers have vowed that there will be no repeat of the trouble that erupted at G20 summits in London and Toronto or the riots that scarred Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
The decision to move the G8 summit -- set for Friday and Saturday -- from Chicago to the presidential retreat of Camp David outside Washington is expected to lessen the intensity of demonstrations in President Barack Obama's adoptive home town.
Several rallies held so far have been peaceful, although four protesters were arrested Tuesday at a rowdy rally outside a Chicago immigration court.
Eight protesters were charged with trespassing after they refused to leave the Chicago office tower which houses Obama's campaign headquarters.
"I think we're off to a pretty good start," Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy told reporters.
While a number of protesters have tried to provoke police, the officers have so far proven they've got "thick skin," McCarthy said.
He said it was impossible to predict how many protesters will fill Chicago streets -- or how many will try to make trouble.
While police are not expecting more than the 10,000 to 15,000 seen at the G20 meetings in Pittsburgh and Toronto, McCarthy said officers stand at the ready and will "provide a secure environment to the protesters and the people who live in the city."
"Come, feel free to express your first amendment right to free speech," McCarthy said.
"If you want to shout, if you want to yell that's your right. We will not tolerate criminal activity." Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait
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