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#NoNATO So Far: Thousands Protest War and Austerity

via Occupy Wall St:

You wouldn't know it from watching CNN, but thousands of people have gathered this week in Chicago and elsewhere to peacefully express their indignation at a political system dominated by war and austerity. While world leaders gather for the G8 and NATO summits -- where they are discussing war plans and addressing their failed financial system with rhetoric alone -- Occupiers and our allies are not only holding our own workshops and discussions on the financial crisis, we are taking direct action to create a world that does not need their warfare or austerity. We are building a world without technocrats and political and financial elites, a world based on mutual aid, solidarity, direct democracy, and co-operation. Sometimes festive, sometimes militant, we are in the streets non-violently demanding health care, immigrant justice, ecological sustainability, education funding, and more. But the only thing corporate media wants to talk about is three people accused of making Molotov cocktails at the encouragement of police informants desperate to demonize nonviolent protesters in the public eye. In reality, the only violence this week has been perpetrated by the police themselves.

Here's what's really happened. (With pictures!)

Monday, 5/14

The Catholic Workers rallied outside the Prudential Building, President Barack Obama’s campaign headquarters. Eight anti-war protesters were arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing after sneaking past security guards and refusing to leave in an act of civil disobedience.

At Dyett High School in Washington Park, Chicago, Occupy Chicago, members of the Chicago Teachers Union, and high school students protested austerity and cuts to education as they rallied to save an art program at the school which is slated to be closed due to budget cuts. Protesters chanted, “Education is a right, not just for the rich and white!” One representative of the teachers union told media, “This city is spending $128 million on NATO, while they refuse to incorporate a bona fide art program into one of our area high schools. Where are our priorities?”

Tuesday, 5/15

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Anglican Mission, Occupy El Barrio, and Occupy Chicago led a march for im/migrant rights, rallying first outside the Mission in Little Village before marching to the Lincoln Methodist Church in Pilsen and ending at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Chicago Immigration Court at Van Buren and Clinton. Protesters held a press conference and rallied against ICE policies. Some activists blockaded the door for over an hour. Father José Landaverde of the Anglican Mission and another activist were arrested; afterward, the crowd formed another picket and march. Two more were arrested after police formed a line to prevent the march from crossing a street. Witnesses say those arrested were on the sidewalk. One was charged with aggravated battery of a police officer, despite witnesses saying otherwise. The others were charged with criminal trespass.

#OWS #NATO #NoNATA #Occupy #war #peace #austerity