McCarthy: Chicago Will Be Ready for G-8, NATO Summit Protestors

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jul 15, 2011 1:38PM

The NATO and G-8 summits in Chicago aren't for another ten months in Chicago but Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy already has visions of anarchists and dirty hippies in his head. McCarthy is well in the planning stages for expected protests of the two meetings.

McCarthy has placed Deputy Superintendent Debra Kirby in charge of preparing the Department's response to the protestors, has been in contact with Secret Service, State Department and other federal agencies regarding protecting foreign dignitaries and will be sending representatives to Seattle and Pittsburgh to discuss the response of those respective cities to protestors. Seattle's response to WTO protestors in 1999 is well-documented, while Pittsburgh police had their hands full with a 2009 G-20 summit.
For that matter, he can see his own department's response to a March anti-war protest.

McCarthy, knowing that the world's focus will be on Chicago next spring, relishes the opportunity.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase the professionalism of this agency,” McCarthy said. “The entire department has to be prepared to respond to this event.”

United National Antiwar Committee spokesman Joe Iosbaker said his organization has already scouted locations for protests and marches, and sought permits for protests at Daley and Federal Plazas.