Thousands of protestors took to the streets May 20 in opposition of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) summit in Chicago, including a contingent of queer people. Rainbow flags and numerous queer-inclusive signs were visible along the protest route.
Member countries of the NATO defense collective agree to an allied response to an attack against a member nation by any external party. Twenty-eight countries across North America and Europe are members of the organization.
Protestors gathered in Grant Park, marching toward East Cermak Road and South Michigan Avenue, as close to the NATO summit at McCormick Place as protestors were allowed. Civil-rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., led the march alongside war veterans.
Many demonstrators held signs or recited chants calling for an end to NATO and all war, specifically calling out United States involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. Others expressed displeasure toward the amount of money spent on defense over other programs.
"We're here to protest the NATO summit because Chicago has spent absurd amounts of money to host the summit in this city and NATO has spent absurd amounts of money on war at the expense of human rights and dignity," said Rachel Miller, one of the people marching with the queer contingent.
The anti-war movement and the queer movement are allied, according to the queer protestors, because queer people are affected by militarization.
"Last year alone NATO spent $1 trillion on arms expenditures and that's completely ridiculous considering the austerity measures being taken in this country," said Judy Heithmar, one of the people marching with the queer contingent. "Queer people are here demanding equality, education, healthcare and safe and affirming housing. The $1 trillion on war NATO spends could go toward advancing queer causes."
At the rally after the march, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War threw medals, awarded to them for their service in the military, toward the McCormick Center to symbolically return them.
As the rally ended, police asked protestors to disperse because the permit for the march had expired. Andy Thayer, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network and one of the lead organizers of the march, addressed the crowd on his bullhorn, urging protestors to comply with police orders and to keep the demonstration peaceful.
While many people left the rally, some refused to disperse and ultimately clashed with police. By Sunday at 9 p.m., 45 people were arrested and four police officers were treated for minor injuries, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Photos for Windy City Times by Jamie Anne Royce and Tracy Baim
