NATO summit protests (Chicago: to rent, condo, evictions)

[Chicago60614]

I walked down to the Boeing protests, and actually got caught right in the middle of the march. Maybe 150 people protesting, 500 cops and 300 office workers watching and taking pictures.

It was pretty boring, the cops were very nice though and not threatening at all. They actually asked if I wanted them to move so I could get a better spot to take pictures.

One kid did get arrested. Walked up and did the bare minimum to be arrested, sat there with his arms out for them to cuff him, then started whining and yelling "FU** TH PIGS". People including the cops just kinda snorted and giggled, and people took pictuers of the stupid kid.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by GoCUBS1

The Occupy Chicago Anti-Eviction protest is interesting. Chicago already has some of the most pro-tenant laws around and probably one of the longest eviction processes around (considering judges delay winter evictions for months).

But I guess housing should be free for the Occupiers and paid for out of someone else's pocket - often a hardworking, local ma-pa landlord who is working hard to pay their own bills. I guess the Occupiers deserve free housing at someone else's expenses. They should be able to live indefinitely at a property without ever having to pay the rent or worrying about the sheriff evicting them.

Last I read the group was focusing on the hundreds, if not thousands, of bank-owned foreclosures that have been sitting vacant. Many of those cases are due to the tax-largesse receiving banks dragging their heels on refinancing. If you want to gripe about freeloaders, start with the huge banks (also keep in kind it was a JPMorgan Chase led international group that bought our parking meter rights).

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Last I read the group was focusing on the hundreds, if not thousands, of bank-owned foreclosures that have been sitting vacant. Many of those cases are due to the tax-largesse receiving banks dragging their heels on refinancing. If you want to gripe about freeloaders, start with the huge banks (also keep in kind it was a JPMorgan Chase led international group that bought our parking meter rights).

NATO has a huge role in the foreclosure process.

BTW, I've seen one protest parade down here so far today. There were probably 200 people, nothing happened.

[TheSunshineKid]

Indifference. The protesters are just entertainment in my eyes. I bet half of them don't even know what NATO stands for nor its history, or the reason for such a meeting. More importantly I wished someone would ask them "Why are you here? What's your purpose right now?" And people complaining about the police "brutality"? LMFAO.

[ParkerP]

They asked one guy from Russia, why did he come all the way here to protest NATO and his answer was "because its NATO" LOL

Then, this one girl they talked to tried to spin the Boeing "shutdown" as a victory for the protesters when really, wasn't Boeing just allowing all of their employees to work from home just like all of the other companies downtown? Boy I tell you...LOL. Now I support everyone's right to fight the power but this whole thing has certainly had its share of funny moments.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by ParkerP

Then, this one girl they talked to tried to spin the Boeing "shutdown" as a victory for the protesters when really, wasn't Boeing just allowing all of their employees to work from home just like all of the other companies downtown? Boy I tell you...LOL. Now I support everyone's right to fight the power but this whole thing has certainly had its share of funny moments.

Pretty much. That's not a victory really. It's employers wanting employees to be safe. I work about a block or so from Boeing and we were asked to stay home. Most people were.

It wasn't a victory for them at all if they actually knew why people were staying home.

[Vlajos]

I've worked both Friday and today, nothing happened. A couple of protestor parades that stopped traffic. I don't drive down here, so I could care less.

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Last I read the group was focusing on the hundreds, if not thousands, of bank-owned foreclosures that have been sitting vacant. Many of those cases are due to the tax-largesse receiving banks dragging their heels on refinancing. If you want to gripe about freeloaders, start with the huge banks (also keep in kind it was a JPMorgan Chase led international group that bought our parking meter rights).

Here is their stated demand:

"Communities United Against Foreclosure and Eviction and Occupy Chicago demand that Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart STOP all profit-oriented evictions and foreclosures from May 16, 2012 to May 16, 2013."

"If Sheriff Dart does not grant the moratorium, the People will enforce one themselves!"


Their signs read "Housing is a Right" and "Stop All Profit-Oriented Evictions."
I do not see them making clear distinctions between whether a bank (big or small, community owned bank), an investment group, or a hard-working individual owns the home. They are against ALL profit-oriented evictions, even if the owner needs the rent profit to pay the mortgage and stay in business. I suppose many of them believe that being profit-oriented in any type of real estate is wrong as that is a possible path to the 1%.

[Ace Rothstein]

Originally Posted by GoCUBS1

Here is their stated demand:

"Communities United Against Foreclosure and Eviction and Occupy Chicago demand that Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart STOP all profit-oriented evictions and foreclosures from May 16, 2012 to May 16, 2013."

"If Sheriff Dart does not grant the moratorium, the People will enforce one themselves!"


Their signs read "Housing is a Right" and "Stop All Profit-Oriented Evictions."
I do not see them making clear distinctions between whether a bank (big or small, locally owned bank), an investment group, or a hard-working individual owns the home. They are against any profit-oriented evictions, even if the owner needs the profit to pay the mortgage and stay in business. I suppose many of them believe that being profit-oriented in any type of real estate is wrong as that is a path to the 1%.

I believe they are against all private property, think I read that somewhere.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Ace Rothstein

I believe they are against all private property, think I read that somewhere.

I do like public parks and nature, but that's stupid.