Thread: NATO Summit in Chicago: Forced Relocation Plans for Locals

NATO Summit in Chicago: Forced Relocation Plans for Locals

Written by Gary North on May 1, 2012

There is a NATO summit scheduled for Chicago later this month.

As a precaution, the city is planning to re-locate downtown residents to secret shelters outside in Wisconsin, where they will be safe from demonstrators.

This plan came to light only when a local TV station found out. Residents of Chicago were not supposed to be informed of all this. It might upset them. Bureaucrats do not want people to be upset. Upset people sometimes protest. It’s better that people be kept in the dark until there is a knock at the door.

Alas, sometimes they find out.



The TV reporter downplays all this.

When a city creates plans to force residents out of their homes to ship them out of state, it’s a good idea to “up-play” this.

If NATO has to worry about demonstrators in Chicago, exactly what threat is NATO capable of dealing with? Exactly what is it still doing? Why is it doing whatever it is? It was formed in 1949 to meet the threat of the USSR. The USSR has been gone since December 1991.

When a multi-billion-dollar bureaucracy is created, it does not go away merely because the problem it was created to deal with goes away. New problems are discovered that must be dealt with, such as demonstrators in Chicago.

The public is not invited.

While the summit itself will be closed to the public, the Chicago NATO Host Committee is making plans for a variety of programs to inform our community about this historic event. The summit offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our city — and especially our students — to witness world leaders working together to address global challenges.

At least 2,000 journalists are expected to cover this event. Bartenders in the downtown area are getting ready. This will be the biggest event of the season.

Continue Reading on Chicago NATO Summit 2012 | The Official Host Committee site for the 2012 NATO Summit
Chicago NATO Summit 2012 | The Official Host Committee site for the 2012 NATO Summit



NATO Summit in Chicago: Forced Relocation Plans for Locals

Thursday, May 10, 2012
It’s not just the Red Cross preparing for an evacuation of Chicago during NATO summit
Madison Ruppert, Contributor
Activist Post

It has now emerged that it was not just the Red Cross and hospitals that were told to prepare for various emergency scenarios surrounding the upcoming NATO summit in Chicago.

To get some background on what is going on and the potential outcomes, watch the short video below:



This topic was also discussed in detail with Drew Lamb on episode 14 of End the Lie Radio which you can see below as well:



The local Chicago CBS affiliate recently reported that Benedictine University has been contacted by the American Red Cross chapter in DuPage County to set up emergency shelters.

This is being done in order to prepare for a potential evacuation of Chicago during the NATO summit, and the Lisle campus of Benedictine University has been instructed to plan for up to 1,000 evacuees.


Keep in mind that is just one of the many locations being prepared for a potentially massive influx of evacuees.

Earlier, the same local CBS affiliate reported that the Milwaukee Red Cross had been asked by both the City of Chicago and the Secret Service to set up shelters.

Unsurprisingly, both the city and the Secret Service refused to confirm that they had given any such instructions.

Benedictine is just one of many locations which will be tapped in case of a massive evacuation.

“Benedictine is one of dozens of colleges, universities, community centers or churches standing by just in case Chicagoans must leave their homes because of violence or any other reason connected to the NATO summit,” CBS 2 reports.

“Whether it be for a couple of hours because they haven’t been able to contact a family member, or overnight,” said safety specialist for Benedictine University, Michi Dubes.

Volunteers are already signing up to help deal with potential evacuees, and according to one Joan Henehan volunteers “need to be able to spend the night and work long shifts.”

Some local-area facilities are offering themselves as refuges for the many anti-NATO activists who will inevitably swarm Chicago during the summit.

One such facility, the Trinity Episcopal Church, is offering their fenced lawn to anti-NATO protesters coming from outside Chicago.

The pastor, Reverend Errol Narain, said that he will allow up to 60 bicycle-riding protesters from Wisconsin to camp out on the church’s lawn for days.

“We feel that this is quite clearly within the mission of the church to identify with these groups who are struggling on the side of the poor,” Rev. Narain said, adding that he too will be demonstrating against NATO.

It is unclear why these plans for a massive evacuation are in place, but I find it truly worrisome that they are conducting dirty bomb drills. In my opinion, that isn’t a good sign.

The security around Chicago is being ramped up considerably, as I pointed out in the above video.

In addition to those measures, there could be airport-style security screenings conducted at some train stations in the area, while other stations could be shut down entirely including some on the Metra Electric Line and South Shore Line.

There will also be street closures, parking restrictions and passengers hoping to use trains very well might face airport-style grope downs, X-ray screenings, the dreaded security lines and long delays.

However, even these seemingly over-the-top security measures pale in comparison to the no-fly zone which will reportedly be put in place over Chicago during the summit.

Indeed, according to CBS 2, this no-fly zone will be enforced with a shoot-to-kill order from May 19 to May 21.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has put out a flight advisory banning non-commercial aircraft from operating within a 10 nautical mile radius of downtown Chicago at any altitude below 18,000 feet.

The restricted area extends from 10 to 30 miles outside downtown Chicago. Only aircraft arriving or departing from local airports will be allowed within this restricted area and all other types of flights will be banned.

“The United States Government may use deadly force against the airborne aircraft, if it is determined that the aircraft poses an imminent security threat,” the advisory says. “Be advised that noncompliance with the published (notice to airmen) may result in the use of force”

As always, I hope that all of the speculation surrounding these choices are proven to be completely erroneous and the entire summit will go off without a hitch and without a single unlawful arrest or any evacuation.

However, as we have seen in the coordinated response to the peaceful Occupy Wall Street protests, the government does not always handle First Amendment-protected activities all too gently.

Did I forget anything or miss any errors? Would you like to make me aware of a story or subject to cover? Or perhaps you want to bring your writing to a wider audience? Feel free to contact me at admin@EndtheLie.com with your concerns, tips, questions, original writings, insults or just about anything that may strike your fancy.

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This article first appeared at End the Lie.

Madison Ruppert is the Editor and Owner-Operator of the alternative news and analysis database End The Lie and has no affiliation with any NGO, political party, economic school, or other organization/cause. He is available for podcast and radio interviews. Madison also now has his own radio show on Orion Talk Radio from 8 pm -- 10 pm Pacific, which you can find HERE. If you have questions, comments, or corrections feel free to contact him at admin@EndtheLie.com

http://www.activistpost.com/2012/05/...aring-for.html

here is video 2




The local Chicago CBS affiliate recently reported that Benedictine University has been contacted by the American Red Cross chapter in DuPage County to set up emergency shelters.

This is being done in order to prepare for a potential evacuation of Chicago during the NATO summit, and the Lisle campus of Benedictine University has been instructed to plan for up to 1,000 evacuees.

Activist Post: It’s not just the Red Cross preparing for an evacuation of Chicago during NATO summit

Friday, May 11, 2012
$100 Million NATO Mission to Invade Chicago
Stephen Lendman, Contributor
Activist Post

A $100 million NATO invasion is coming. Low intensity conflict may follow. The "City of Broad Shoulders" may get more than it bargained for.

Nelson Algren once called Chicago the "City on the Make." NATO's May 20/21 "on the make" invasion isn't welcome.

Chicago NATO.org announced an Obama-hosted "diplomatic summit."

Thousands plan protests against it.

The Coalition Against NATO/G8 War & Poverty issued a statement, saying:

The city has carried out a campaign to intimidate and vilify protesters, claiming that protests lead to violence. In fact, the main source of violence in the world today is the wars being waged by NATO and the US.

We will march in May during the NATO meeting to deliver our message: Jobs, Housing, Healthcare, Education, Our Pensions, the Environment: Not War!

We and tens of thousands will be in the streets that day for a family friendly rally and march, with cries so loud they will be heard in Camp David and across the globe. We will be in the streets that day to fight for our future, and speak out against the wars and their cutbacks are designed to benefit the 1% at the expense of the 99% of the world.


Last August, dozens of activists from 73 organizations met to plan large protests and marches when NATO arrives. United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) coordinator Joe Lombado said "(t)he entire world will be watching us."

NATO doesn't foster democratic values, liberation, and peace. It's about wars, death, destruction and human misery. It requires draconian austerity and soaring debt to support it. A Chicago-style welcome awaits.

Organization representatives fear large-scale crackdowns before and during protest demonstrations. Those involved plan to repudiate confrontations. They'll also stand up for their constitutional rights.

Dozens of NATO heads of state and other top officials plan attending. Large delegations are coming with them. So are similar partner nation contingents.

The Chicago Tribune and Sun Times reported on elaborate security preparations. Hundreds of state police and National Guard forces are involved. So are thousands of Chicago cops.

Secret Service staff also will be out in force. The ACLU said they'll set up a security perimeter around McCormick Place. Part of Lake Shore Drive will be closed. It's one of the city's main arteries.

Enormous amounts of anti-scale steel fencing will be erected. Thousands of linear feet of concrete barriers will be strategically placed.

Secret Service spokesman George Ogilve declined to give specifics. The ACLU threatened court action unless details are released well in advance.

At issue are fundamental freedoms. They include speech and assembly rights. They're also about police refraining from crackdowns on non-violent protesters.

Will Chicago respect what NATO and Washington never do on so-called "liberating" missions? Activists want to know. The city has an odious reputation. More on that below.

Permits were granted for six protest events. Other groups got them earlier. Chicago cops cracked down anyway. A Secret Service/Chicago police business panel session revealed one planned tactic.

"Extraction teams" will snatch and grab protesters from crowds. Who for what reasons wasn't explained.

Company representatives attending were told business won't be affected. Staff won't be deterred from moving around freely. How they'll distinguish them from protesters and pedestrians isn't clear, especially in large crowds.

Occupy Chicago plans 10 protest days. A May 12 "People's Summit" will be followed by other events. Themes will highlight education, healthcare, the environment, immigration, other issues, and imperialism. On May 20, a "No to NATO" march is scheduled.

'We at Occupy Chicago,' it said, 'cordially invite you to join us and thousands around the world in a week of action in protest. We will highlight the connection between our local struggles, global struggles, and the policies of the thieves and oppressors of NATO and G-8.

Before things end, Chicago could become a battleground. Protesters stress non-violence. Chicago cops are notoriously confrontational. In his 1990 book Protectors of Privilege: Red Squads and Police Repression in Urban America, Frank Donner called the city "the national capital of police repression" for good reason.

No-holds barred tactics are used. Illegal criminal methods include physical confrontation, intimidation, random searches, false arrests, racial targeting, sexual abuse, guerrilla warfare, torture, and whitewashed investigations. Thousands of complaints are lodged. Most fall on deaf ears.

Chicago is NATO's 25th summit. It's a first for Chicago. It may be the city's greatest ever security challenge. Before it ends, violent crackdowns may exceed past large events.

Three main themes are stressed:

the Alliance's commitment to Afghanistan through transition and beyond;
ensuring the Alliance has the capabilities it needs to defend its population and territory, and to deal with the challenges of the 21st century; and
strengthening NATO's network of partners across the globe.

NATO commits to supporting Afghanistan beyond 2014. Permanent occupation is planned. It's the same wherever it shows up.

Washington wants it modernized, alliance partnerships deepened, and perhaps new members added. National Security Council European affairs director Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall said:

The alliance needs to be more deployable and more adaptable, and we're taking those lessons learned from Afghanistan and integrating them into our planning going forward.

NATO also intends expansion beyond its borders. It plans building a "hub of relationships around the world." Meeting "the challenge of (alleged) global threats" assures new wars besides current ones.

NATO is a US imperial tool. Permanent wars are waged. One follows another. All involve mass killing, destruction, and enormous profits for corporate crooks cashing in. Geopolitical issues don't concern them, just bottom line priorities. America's addiction to war feeds them.

When established in April 1949, NATO called itself a "political and military alliance for peace and security." It was always for offense, not defense. Cold War hysteria incited fear to assure an arms race for profits. Reinvented post-Soviet Russia, they keep flowing.

Its original five members now number 28. They're linked with dozens of partners. Together they threaten world peace, stability, and survival.

Bogus threats justify NATO's existence. With no real ones around, they're invented. Wars are based on lies. Profits depend on them. Peace is a losing proposition. Preventing it at all costs is planned.

Ahead of and during Chicago's summit, the city will be locked down and militarized. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and police officials plan targeting strategic areas in preparation.

In January, City Council representatives enacted a "Sit Down and Shut Up" ordinance. It includes required protester group liability insurance, fines up to $2,000 for those arrested, jail time penalties, strict permit guidelines, plans to deploy thousands of police and National Guard forces, and various other requirements.

One demands organizers provide descriptions of "any sound amplification or other equipment that is on wheels or too large to be carried by one person and description of the size and dimension of any sign, banner, or other attention-getting device that is too large to be carried by one person, to be used in connection with the parade."

"Second to none" is Chicago's newest tourism slogan. Before and during NATO's summit, it may turn out that way, but not as planned.

Activists fear it may become a level of hell Dante forgot. Longtime residents hope not. We'll still live here when NATO's gone, and don't relish coping with its aftermath.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book is titled How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized Banking, Government Collusion and Class War

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

Progressive Radio News Hour | Progressive Radio Network




Activist Post: $100 Million NATO Mission to Invade Chicago