Your NATO/G8 primer
Everything you wanted to know about hosting international summits but were afraid to ask
By Ben Joravsky @joravben and Mick Dumke @mickeyd1971
On January 26, the activist organization Adbusters, which helped spark the Occupy Wall Street movement, called for at least 50,000 "redeemers, rebels and radicals" to visit Chicago in the month of May for "the biggest multinational occupation of a summit meeting the world has ever seen."
"And if they don't listen," the statement vowed, "we'll flashmob the streets, shut down stock exchanges, campuses, corporate headquarters and cities across the globe."
It's not known how many demonstrators will respond to the call. But there's little question that thousands of out-of-town visitors will descend on the city to attend, observe, and protest two scheduled summits of the most powerful leaders in the world.
What is in question is how it will impact—and what it will cost—the people of Chicago.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel used his clout with President Barack Obama to bring the NATO and G8 summits here, and the way the preparations are proceeding says a lot about how he runs this town.
Just three months before the events, neither residents nor the City Council have been told how much it could cost us. And some police officers are so concerned about what could happen that they're ordering their own riot-intervention equipment.
What follows is a primer on how we got into this mess, what we know about the summits, and—more significantly—what we don't.
So start at the beginning— what is this all about?
For three days in May, Chicago will play host to two international summits of diplomats, world leaders, and other dignitaries. Leaders of the Group of Eight—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—will meet from Saturday, May 19, to Sunday, May 20. And on May 20 and 21 the leaders of NATO will gather. Both summits will be held at McCormick Place.
Roughly 7,500 delegates representing 80 delegations will attend, plus about 2,500 journalists—and all those protesters.
And why are they coming to Chicago again?
Officially, President Obama decided that Chicago was a "logical choice" because it's "a global city, connected to the global economy, with an increasing international profile," according to Caitlin Hayden, assistant press secretary for foreign affairs. "It's the President's home town and has a proven record of managing big events. We know that Chicago will highlight the best of America."
So this decision was made completely free of politics, right?
Well . . .
Unofficially, Mayor Rahm Emanuel really, really, really wanted the summits to come here. As he's told his aides: it's like the Olympics—only easier to get.
So he was badgering the president, Vice President Joe Biden, and other administration officials about bringing the summit here almost from the moment he won the mayoral election last February. And maybe before.
OK, but did anyone other than Mayor Emanuel really, really, really want to hold the summits in Chicago?
No. Unlike the prospect of hosting the Olympics, which always had some support, the summits weren't on the radar—until President Obama offhandedly announced in a speech last June that they were coming to Chicago.
But surely there was some sort of bring-the-summits-to-Chicago blue ribbon committee—you know, filled with the mayor's friends and donors?
Not until the deal was already made. More on those friends and donors in a bit.
So did I miss the dog-and-pony community hearings they held to explain why this is worth the cost and inconvenience—you know, like they did with the Olympics?
You didn't, because there weren't any. As Leslie Hairston sums it up: "This wasn't a citywide decision."
Who's Leslie Hairston?
She's the alderman of the Fifth Ward who, like the rest of her colleagues, generally goes along with the mayor. But last month she really pissed him off by leading a handful of powerless aldermen in opposing the summits.
So what has the mayor said about her criticism?
If you don't like it, Hairston, then fuck you!
No, I mean, what has he said that he hasn't said to critics before?
On the record, he said, "This will be an opportunity to showcase what is great about the greatest city in the greatest country." We're pretty sure he was referring to Chicago—and not his hometown of Wilmette.
Comments (20)
Showing 1-20 of 20
Ben - so much reporting has been about the protests, the city's response the protests, etc. Why not explain what the NATO and G8 are and why they are being protested?
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Ben,
re: red-light cameras
Alderwoman Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) said on Chicago Tonight (2/15/2012): "Well, I looked at some of the data. The mayor's office has shown that over a five-year period, there were over 900 crashes that involved young children around parks and schools."
Does this sound right? Can there be that many children involved in crashes? I cannot find any mention of 900 crashes in Chicago involving children or anything like that. Dowell said she got her data from the mayor. Apparently, she just takes his word on it. I know that would be the last thing I'd do. That alleged data sounds soooo far fetched on its face. It sounds like the kind of propaganda only rubber stamp aldermen would gobble up whole.
I don't mean to divert attention from your discussion of Rahm's ability to game the system, but playing the alderman is part of the topic. Especially since he craps on their constituents and calls it chocolate pudding.
Not a bad idea - explain not only what they are, but what their agendas are at these meetings.
One thing not mentioned is what a lovely networking event this is for Chicagoans looking to make it on the international stage, particularly Chicagoans who don't make it out to DC much lately. What's Rahm want to do after he's done being mayor? Because you know he's got a list. These intergovernmental guys, it's one conference room after another. One thing they remember is who's hosted them well.
So much for an actual primer... Instead this article seems to be a bit biased...
"Apparently, [Emanuel] forgot that most Chicagoans pay federal taxes. "
About 1% of the total, right?
Ben,
900 crashes involving children over a five year period would average out to less than .024% of all the children in the city being involved in a crash each year. That sounds like an entirely reasonable statistic.
Hey Joey,
Check with all the major hotels and see how many room cancellations they have had for this week. Ask how many businesses will close, how many companies will send their employees home early? Looks like a ghost town in the making, add up all those dollars and see what the real cost will be$$$ Lots of protestors looking for dinner reservations at Alinea!
This is the most annoying news article I have ever read! Was it written by 13 year olds with multiple personality disorder? It was like reading written fox news; they pose their own problems then answer them with their own problems. – Nothing was actually backed up with real data.
One in particular...The “author” complained about legislation that gave the governor too much power, but didn’t actually site the legislation, they only summarized it in an extremely biased way.
Another thing...It is GOOD that the city contracts with Motorola Solutions! Motorola Solutions is a Chicago business. Keeping your tax money in your city! That is smart!!
Another thing...to equal "millions of dollar with parking meters," well over 10,000 meters would have to be restricted for at least 5 days.
This was the first article I have ever read from this "chicagoreader" and by God it is also my last! This is the kind of sh*t that just makes people dumber!
Typical leftist Reader bullshit. Blames everybody but the professional protesters who will be the ones actually causing our fair city to descend into a hopeless situation. Not surprised why the article didn't explain why people would protest the G8 summit. The reasons don't matter. The G8 summit is like the Coachella festival for protesters. No particular issue is needed, all our welcome to air their grievances, whether it is relative to the G8 or not.
Once again you guys have done the story that the rest of the "entertainment" news media in this city should be doing. Excellent story!!! Now for your follow-up story. I keep hearing the same phrase used over and over again by this administration and "New Boss, Same As The Old Boss" Mayor: "We want everyone to be able to speak freely". So what is it that CAN'T be spoken freely when others are listening. Foul language? Back room deals? Insider trading? The truth? I'm getting a little tired of hearing that the people who are supposed to serve us, the Public, can't "speak freely" for fear of ???? I feel like Tom Cruise interrogating Jack Nicholson on the witness stand. So I'm to believe that the Public "really can't handle the truth?" A shout out to the mayor and his lackeys. We, the Public, not only can handle the truth but we DEMAND the truth and we want to know exactly who is telling us the truth. And just to be sure the Mayor understands, THIS is what TRANSPARENCY is - not those stupid little apps that his CTO keeps spinning out!
Rahm Emanuel Feb. 9, 2009 "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before." G8/NATO in Chicago will be the perfect crisis venue. It is, after all, Obama's electorate that will be protesting.
There wouldn't be a need for protests if these governments didn't cause so much human suffering in the world in the first place.
I think this article is embarassing. I expect journalists to help educate us, not incite further dissatisfaction. Beyond that, this article was factually just barely-passable. If I had submitted this as a paper in grad school, I'd expect a C-minus at best.
Chicago has a unique opportunity this spring, to showcase a population of hard-working, always-thinking, open-minded, still-pragmatic, and above all else, diplomatic folks.
Hosting these summits is not another press-worthy opportunity for unions and unemployed Occupiers to bum-rush City Hall, or do much else in the way of civil disobedience.
Hosting these summits is a much bigger deal.
While I don't venture to speak for all Americans, I hope that I will see (at least) other Chicagoans on their best behaviors, able to charm world leaders and journalists... And not take this as an opportunity to act like a throng of asses.
You want to be taken seriously? Then act like grown-ups and not petulant children!
Best behaviors? What are wecyour servants you self righteous dick bag? They are pointing out injustices and you want to be charmed? You fucking twat ...please don't come here we don't want you or any other corporate scumbags to steal more of our shit.
The city wouldn't need so much money for extra security if they would welcome the protesters in the same way they are welcoming official delegations. An easy 90% of protesters are non-violent. We don't need extra cops and equipment for them - they are the ones who will be going to Garrett Popcorn and the museums. Why doesn't the host committee set up historical tours of Chicago's long list of protest sites and get out the welcome kits for protesters while they are deciding what free elaborate dinners the "official" visitors are getting? Then they won't have to raise so much money, because, as we know, it is the powerless that bring in the revenue.
The Emanuel administration needs to either figure out a public balance sheet for this ballyhoo ( I could do it in a week I bet), or assure its constituents that it has a system of checks and balances in place, because this is really embarrassing for everyone that they can't answer these basic questions. Frankly, it's insulting that they expect Chicago residents to accept this level of competence. Another article says that local police force "training" for this event is a couple of books they ordered on Amazon about riots? Maybe Emanuel would be comfortable with his security "training" consisting of them reading a couple of books on security management?
Now clearly there is some (unfortunately) standard sketchy financing and deal making going on with how the city manages the inevitable protestors, but does that necessitate scrapping the whole show? Say what you want about the goods and evils of NATO and the G8, but regardless these are two very important international organizations, and it speaks to Chicago's stature as a world city that they are coming here. If the city is going to stave off the same patterns of decline and stagnation plaguing much of the country, it needs to maintain its reputation as a "happening" place.
Otherwise this could be us: http://www.theonion.com/articles/indianapo…
Why don't this G8 people make a conference via close circuit via internet etc.--so they don't have to waste so much money etc.If people are going to be crushed by atttending it--why do it physically in one place????
It seems like this entire city is clueless and living in a fantasy world. If you want to see what to expect look at some of the past history of these summits. We can expect anywhere from 200K to 400K protesters...and it very well could be more with the current state of affairs in this country. Lets say 90% of protesters ARE peaceful...that still leaves 20K to 40K+ out to destroy this city. Good luck controlling 40K people out to loot the city. Not to mention the criminals in this city who will use this as an opportunity to cause their own brand of chaos.
Other cities/countries hosting these events have spent from a few 100 million to over a billion dollars for Toronto in 2010 and they still did not have much luck in controlling the protests or preventing riots/looting. Other cities have fenced off areas of their city...it does not seem like we are doing any of this. Why do we not seem to have any idea what is headed our way? There is plenty of past history of these events that we should know what is coming and we should be scared and prepared...because this is not going to be a joke.
When this city goes up in flames the number one person to blame should be the mayor (and president). This city is not ready and this is his show and his responsibility.
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