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Chicagoans say no the Olympics
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The flurry of protest activity surrounding the International Olympic Committee visit can be divided into two categories.
First there are the people who wouldn't really mind us hosting the 2016 Olympics, just as long as they can squeeze some benefits out of the city; for example, the Fraternal Order of Police, which picketed outside City Hall yesterday morning and swears that this had nothing to do with the Olympic bid — it was just a good opportunity to draw attention to a long-running contract dispute. And the Communities for Equitable Olympics coalition is planning to protest at an undisclosed time and location because the City Council hasn't approved an ordinance that would guarantee jobs, affordable housing and minority contracts if Chicago lands the games.
Then there are the people who are absolutely determined to chase the IOC away; they were the ones who answered the No Game Chicago coalition's call for a Federal Plaza rally at 5 p.m. yesterday. Some of them came because they think Chicago needs to pump taxpayer money into public education, while others were beating the drum for health care, public transportation, immigration, public housing, the environment, and infrastructure needs (potholes were a frequent topic). Regardless of their pet cause, they all agreed on one thing: The Daley administration needs to get its house in order right now rather than bet the house on a mega-event seven years in the future.
So this was a diverse, broad-based coalition, not just a gaggle of teenybopper anarchists banging on paint buckets. In fact, at times the rally seemed like a gathering of anyone who ever held a grudge against Mayor Daley; among the speakers were hired truck scandal whistleblo
After the hour-long rally, the crowd marched north on Clark Street, then east on Randolph Street to the Aon Center, location of the Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid Committee's office. Barricades were placed on the sidewalk across the street from the skyscraper, but just in case that wasn't enough to deter some determined protesters, police officers positioned themselves in the middle of the street on foot, ATVs and Segway scooters. After making noise for a few minutes, the crowd headed dow a ramp to Millennium Park for some closing words before dispersing.
No Games organizer Bob Quellos declined to give a crowd estimate; the Chicago Tribune reported about 200 people, while WBEZ said 300 to 400, which I concur with. Not too bad for a blustery Thursday evening, but expectations were high since No Games had received a significant level of free publicity in the form of pre-event media coverage.
If Quellos was disappointed, he didn't show it. "This is the beginning," he proclaimed through a bullhorn as the action came to a close. "Take these signs home. Put them on your window to let everyone know that the Olympics Committee doesn't speak for you."
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