First NATO, G8 Protest Permits Issued; Emanuel Says Taxpayers Will Not Foot Bill For Security Costs

By aaroncynic in News on Jan 13, 2012 5:00PM

Chicago approved the first protest permits for May's NATO/G8 summits. The Coalition Against the NATO/G8 War and Poverty Agenda (CANG8) had their permit approved for a rally, and the city says it will approve another for that group as well as one for National Nurses United.

In another small victory for demonstrators, ABC 7 reports officials have revised some of Mayor Emanuel’s proposed ordinance changes. Parade marshals for every 100 participants will no longer be required, the current time limit of 2 hours and 15 minutes will still stand and the maximum fines for violations of ordinances will not increase.

The summits could cost Chicago anywhere between $40 and $65 million, but City Hall swears taxpayers will be off the hook. The Sun-Times reports Emanuel’s office hopes to pay the tab via private fund raising and shore up the rest of the funds with federal dollars, since the event is considered a “National Special Security event.” An administration official told the Sun-Times “We anticipate those costs will be born by other levels of government and by the private sector.”

We’re skeptical of both of these assurances from the city. As the Sun-Times points out, we’ve heard before that Chicagoans wouldn’t have to foot the bill for a big event:

"After repeatedly insisting that he would never put a blank check behind Chicago’s failed 2016 Olympic bid, (former Mayor Richard M.) Daley offered to sign a host-city contract that amounted to an open-ended guarantee from local taxpayers."

Regarding the protest ordinance revisions, organizers are still not happy. In a post on Chicago Indymedia, CANG8 organizer Andy Thayer pointed out some of the clauses in Emanuel’s proposed ordinances remain intact. Applicants for rallies must still provide “a description of any recording equipment, sound amplification equipment, banners, signs, or other attention-getting devices to be used in connection with the parade.” Depending on how one decides to interpret those words, organizers could have to provide a list of every bullhorn or sign, which would be nearly impossible. While the maximum fine for will remain at $1,000 the minimum fine for resisting arrest, which, depending on interpretation, could potentially include non-violent civil disobedience, will still increase to $200.

Finally, because of the “National Special Security event” designation, the Secret Service will ultimately decide on security procedures, including designated protest areas. If the Secret Service declares an area already permitted for a protest a security zone, protesters will have to work with the city to find an alternate site.