Rahm Backtracks on Stiffer NATO, G8 Fines
By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 17, 2012 7:40PM
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is backing off plans to increase fines for protesters during the May NATO and G8 summits, according to the Sun-Times. Emanuel’s decision came after meeting with aldermen and groups who were concerned the stiff increase in fines would curtail their First Amendment rights.
The Sun-Times quotes a City Hall source as saying, given the concern raised, it made more sense to keep the fines where they are. Emanuel proposed that fines for resisting arrest would increase to anywhere from $200 to $1,000. Currently the fines range between $25-$500.
Since Emanuel announced his intentions to raise the fines — and keep them in place after the summits left town —, he’s received criticism from community groups, aldermen labor leaders and activists planning protests of the summits that the fines were attempts to stifle dissent. Emanuel’s retreat on higher fines isn’t enough for many of them. Last night they held a press conference demanding that the mayor drop all the proposed restrictions.
These include wide-scale parade restrictions; shorter operating hours at parks and beaches; and empowering Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy to “deputize” out-of-state law enforcement to assist in handling security for the summits. Emanuel had also said the proposed ordinance changes would become permanent.