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International Chicago Wed Jan 18 2012
G8/NATO Protest Ordinance Passes, with More Changes
City Council passed an ordinance that would allow the city to enforce stricter security measures on protests at the G8/NATO summit than the ordinance currently in place.
Protesters gathered outside City Council chambers during the vote to express their anger over the ordinance.
Alderman Joe Moreno, 1st Ward, blogged on Huffington Post Chicago about why he voted for it.
"The ordinance itself is not as extreme as many, with their own agendas, have made it seem." he wrote, adding,"There is definitely a reality gap between the perception and reality of this ordinance."
Alderman Joe Moore, 49th Ward, also blogged on his own website about the ordinance and the public attention it has received.
"the debate over the Mayor's proposals too often has been marked by overheated rhetoric and over-the-top hyperbole," wrote Moore.
A description of what changes this new ordinances makes, noting changes made this morning, can be found on Alderman Joe Moore's website.
The ordinance that passed did not raise the minimum fine for resisting arrest from its current value of $25, but did raise the minimum fine for violation of the parade ordinance from $50 to $200.
Under the new ordinance, parade organizers will have to describe any sound equipment and signs that are too large for one person to carry by hand. The original ordinance required organizers to report and describe every protest sign, no matter what size.
The changes made by this ordinance expire on July 31.
