New Protest Laws

1. Emergency Spending Authority: Approved
2. Park Closing Time Extensions: Approved
3. Amplified Sound Time Reduction: Approved
4. Resisting Arrest Fine Increase: Approved
5. Parade Permit Fee Increase: Approved

Breakdown:

Emergency Spending Authority

Emmanuel pushed for emergency spending authority in the case the city needs last minute supplies before the during the summits. Addition ammunition and the such. It was approved.

Park Closing Time Extensions

Chicago Parks, unless otherwise stated, close at 11pm and reopen at 4am. This new regulation keeps the parks closed for 2 extra hours until 6am. Supposedly to keep people from camping. However, it will affect people who like a run before work, or a late night walk.

Amplified Sound Time Restiction

Between the hours of 10pm to 8am, amplified sound is not allowed for parades. To be honest, this one makes little sense because to my understanding, that would fall in line with the already accepted noise pollution regulation. No megaphones, stereos, and the like can be used. Still don't know the effect of this.

Resisting Arrest Fine Increase

The minimum was increase from $25 to $200. Honestly, it's not the big of a deal. Just try not getting arrested.get slammed with $1000 fine. The max here is still only $500.

Parade Permit Fees Increase

The fees were increased from $35 to $50. It's bad for everyone. May not seem like much, but when you are trying to budget for a parade, it can hurt.

During the Votes, Protesters where ejected from the Hallway just a door away from the votes. They were removed because they were being disruptive. How? Yelling to be let in. Understandably, but i they were quieter, they may, very well, have been allowed in.

Now we know what's been changed. Still some time beforehand, so let's see what else.

(Not A) Call to Arms

Quite a bit, I've been seeing people doing a "Call to Arms" to riot in the streets of Chicago. Why? It'll just work to prevent what message you have from getting through. News won't report on your side, they'll be too busy reporting on the riots. Those on the other, the law, are just doing their jobs. They are there to make money for themselves and their family. During the summits they will be putting in significant overtime. They are just people, like you and me. It's bad enough that they don't know if they'll go home to their families on a normal day, why make it worse. Things like this are why location have a damned army in front of their doors. This is why protesters get a bad name.


What ever happened to peaceful protest? About 4 years back, a group called "Anonymous" protested the crimes of Scientology during "Project Chanology". Beforehand, they called for this very thing, violence. A man named Mark Bunker (Wise Beard Man), who I had the pleasure of meeting, gave them the message to remain peaceful. They did, and you know what, Scientology is being prosecuted even now. Why? The protesters listened and remained peaceful which allowed their message to be heard. It's not a difficult concept.


When there is nothing to report but the message, it will be broadcast. So please, don't incite riots, it'll only take away what you want to give.


Fred Lowe

Downtown Lockdown

A little bit of breaking new. A proposal for the G8/NATO Summits includes a partial lockdown of a potion of downtown. Borders won't be disclosed until about 4 weeks prior to the summits.


Streets shut down? What kind of mess will that bring. I was planning on a post regarding possible street closures soon too. I'll still do it, but don't take it as a full truth. I'll see if I can't find out sooner for my readers.. This'll mess up everyone...
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Now that I have a bit more time I can cover some other things I wanted to.


With thew lockdown of Downtown, as you know, is NEVER as simple as they claim. For instance, for every day the parts of downtown are closed, each and every parking space will have to be paid for. Most of the meters will be at $5.75 for as long as the locations are timed. Might not seem like that much, but lets do a little math. Let's say 5,000 parking spaces. Let's say the spaces that need to be paid for from 5am, to 9pm. Right there is 16 hours. That's $92 dollars a day for just one spot. $460,000. And that's just one day. We're looking at, including staging, tear down, and the sort, about, let's say 3 weeks. Total would be $9,660,000. Now, they CLAIM it will not cost the taxpayers anything. It's coming from Private and Federal funds. I call bullshit. More they likely we'll get stuck with the bill, we almost always do.


Recently snipers were casing the area around O'Hare, Downtown, and McCormick Place. Now we know what airport everyone will be coming in. Security is going to be tighter then Lake Shore Drive at Rush Hour. People coming into the city around that time would be wise to come in either at Midway or take a train.


A little bit of hard-to-find news about the permits issued. To make up for blowing the new laws out of proportion, the city is offering free portajohns and audio equipment to protesters. What's next, armed escorts, hotels, free pizza? Well, I'll enjoy getting a slice or two. All joking aside, everything I find is making these Summits seem like far too much trouble then what it's worth.