Defend Dissent... ...In Chicago Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is proposing 2 draconian ordinances that are intended to intimidate and stop dissent. The ordinances will be presented to the city council committees on Tuesday, Jan 17 and, if they pass the committees, will be up for a vote of the entire city council on Wednesday, Jan 18. If they pass, they become effective in 10 days. We are asking people who are concerned about protecting our first amendment rights and our civil liberties to do the following:
1) If you, any family members, or friends live in Chicago, contact the alderperson and put pressure on him/her to vote no.
You can find the alderperson here 2) Attend the committee meetings on Tuesday, 1/17 to speak and ask questions. Let's pack the room! The Budget committee meets at 10am in the city council chambers on the 2nd floor of city hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. The Special Events committee meets at 1pm in Room 201A of city hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. 3) Attend the city council meeting on Wednesday, 1/18 at 10am in the city council chambers on the 2nd floor of city hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. 4) On Tuesday, 1/17, call Mayor Emanuel at 312-744-3300 and let him know that these ordinances, designed to intimidate and stop dissent, are unacceptable and demand that they be withdrawn immediately. Here are some of the changes: * Virtually every street protest in the downtown would be designated a “large parade” requiring $1 million liability insurance and for organizers to “agree to reimburse the city for any damage to the public way or to city property arising out of or caused by the parade”; * Large parade or not, organizers would be required to provide the city with “a description of any recording equipment, sound amplification equipment, banners, signs, or other attention-getting devices to be used in connection with the parade” at least a week in advance of the march; * Every contingent in the march and the order in which they would appear would have to be registered at least a week in advance with the City; * Demonstration organizers would be required to have one marshal for every 100 participants; and, * Under a wholly new section of the municipal code (10-8-334), even gatherings on sidewalks, with no presence in the streets, would now be subject to demands that they get permits, giving the City extraordinary latitude to dictate what union and other pickets occur or get shut down by police action. Act now to protect YOUR right to protest! For more information, and to view the ordinances, go to Chicago Indymedia | 
