Solidarity is no longer a four letter word.
NATO (and the Chicago police) will be meeting Occupy Chicago and thousands of anti-war activists and anti-capitalists in Chicago this week for mass protests. The city has responded with heavy handed repressive ordinances and police tactics (sound familiar?). Regardless thousands will be marching and taking action on a whole range of issues from the war in Afghanistan to austerity to immigrant rights to climate change.
In fact, direct actions began this morning as 8 anti-war activists were arrested in Obama For America’s offices in Chicago demanding an end to the war in Afghanistan.
This is all happening with a climate justice twist as Rising Tide Chicago and Chicago based environmental and climate justice groups, aka Climate Action Chicago, are hosting a number of events, marches and actions in solidarity with the anti-NATO protests.
Noam Chomsky recently remarked that the Occupy has created something that never really existed in the U.S.–solidarity.
“The other aspect, which in my estimation may be more significant, is that the Occupy movement spontaneously created something that doesn’t really exist in the country: communities of mutual support, cooperation, open spaces for discussion”
Now, we are seeing unprecedented amounts of “post-issue activism.” The sort of organizing that transcends single issues and becomes about real transformational work around our economy, our environment and our democracy. Occupy has liberated that space.
Now the corporations and the state are fighting back. But so are we. This weekend in Chicago is another opportunity to link arms and march side by side with folks fighting foreclosures, deportations, the war and environmental injustice.
If you are anywhere near Chicago, go join them.
Here is Climate Action Chicago’s schedule of events if you are going:
Climate Action Chicago Joins NATO Summit Protests
Join Rising Tide Chicago, Chicago environmental groups and their allies for the NATO summit weekend to give corporate criminals, and the governmental lackeys and military who serve their interests a clear message: putting profits over our planet threatens our survival and will NOT be accepted any longer!
This weekend, we’ll call for real solutions to climate change and war by encouraging communities to come together to restore natural ecosystems, create clean power & transportation and establish local food systems.
Let’s create communities that are fair and provide access to basics needs for everyone rather than our current throwaway society that benefits the 1% and destroys our planet.
*Join us for Events during Summit Weekend!
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Thursday, May 17th @ 3 pm;
Occupy Chicago Day of Environment — Planet Over Profits & War
Protest Canadian Tar Sands at Consulate with Die-In
Canadian Consulate, 180 N Stetson Ave.
RSVP via Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/events/446122835402400/?ref=ts
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Friday, May 18th @ 1:00 p.m;
Crime Busting March on Chicago’s Climate Crooks
March around the loop with us as we issue warrants for arrest for corporations and government organizations responsible for destabilizing our climate.
Daley Plaza (Clark & Washington) @ 1:00 p.m. Directly after the Nurses Union March
RSVP via Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/events/194508444002886/?ref=ts
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Friday, May 18th@ 6:30 pm;
Dinner & Overview of Summit Events
@ Holy Innocents Church, 1447 W. Superior (near Chicago & Ashland)
RSVP at risingtide.chi@gmail.com
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Saturday, May 19th @ 6:30 pm ;
Rising Waters: Global Warming and the Fate of the Pacific Islands, Documentary, Dinner & Climate Justice Discussion
@ Holy Innocents Church, 1447 W. Superior (near Chicago & Ashland)
RSVP via Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/events/426580744037196/?ref=ts
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Sunday, May 20th @ 12p (noon);
Environmental Contingent in March & Rally to NATO Summit
March with thousands during the NATO summit to deliver our message: Jobs, Housing, Healthcare, Education, Our Pensions and the Environment: Not War!
@ Petrillo Bandshell in Grant Park (Columbus & Jackson)
Meet us at NW side of the Petrillo Bandshell. Look for a big green flag!
RSVP via Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/events/286684528085764/?ref=ts
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To confirm locations and to RSVP, visit http://www.climateactionchicago.org
