NATO Summit and ORD
May 19, 2012, 9:43 am
#31
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I would have no problem with having the summit in Chicago to increase the city's visibility on the world stage.
The heavyhanded security theatre is what I object to.
I used to live right in the center of where the street closures are...Michigan and Roosevelt. Glad I'm not there right now.
The heavyhanded security theatre is what I object to.
I used to live right in the center of where the street closures are...Michigan and Roosevelt. Glad I'm not there right now.
The Olympics are no different - billions in the hole to earn back a hundred million in incremental short and long term tourism spend.
At this meeting, the world won't see 'Chicago' - they will see a city in locked-down chaos, angry residents, heavy-handed security tactics, protests and other chaos - not exactly the stuff of tourism brochures.
May 19, 2012, 11:01 am
#32
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By most accounts, yesterday's protests were fairly peaceful. The highest-profile arrests were of three out-of-towners in their 20s who were reportedly making Molotov cocktails. I hope the media does a post-NATO arrest wrap up and reports on how many of those who were arrested are from out of town. It's sad that people think it's acceptable to come to another city, demonstrate against a non-local organization and destroy local property in the process.
May 19, 2012, 3:38 pm
#33
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While we are not going into the Loop, Mrs Sweet Willie & I were downtown last night, will be this evening for a play, then tomorrow morning to have breakfast with a friend.
I have zero concerns from a safety standpoint, business & social will proceed as normal from my perspective.
I have zero concerns from a safety standpoint, business & social will proceed as normal from my perspective.
May 20, 2012, 6:50 pm
#34
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Does Chicago get any reimbursement for all these expenses from the Feds or NATO?
May 20, 2012, 7:54 pm
#35
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From what I've read, the feds are reimbursing the city for overtime expenses and equipment for CPD, which is the big one security-wise. One I wonder about is the bill that'll come for all the streets with meters shut down.
May 22, 2012, 9:42 am
#36
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A PITA that it coincided with Chicago Craft Beer Week. I was hoping to enjoy a couple weekend evenings.
May 22, 2012, 4:29 pm
#37
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