National Lawyers Guild Provides Wrap-up of Police Actions During Week-long NATO Demonstrations

Posted on May 28, 2012

PRESS RELEASE
Chicago Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild
For Immediate Release: May 25, 2012
Contact: NLG Legal Worker Kris Hermes 510-681-6361

National Lawyers Guild Provides Wrap-up of Police Actions During Week-long NATO Demonstrations
Police violence, serious injuries, high-level charges & exceptionally high bonds symbolize city’s reaction to protests

Chicago, IL — The Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) has made an initial assessment of police actions on the streets during the week of NATO demonstrations, which was dominated by police harassment and violence, serious injuries, high-level charges, and exceptionally high bonds. At this time, the NLG estimates that 117 people were arrested, but fewer than 100 were ultimately charged. Of those charged, the vast majority were ordinance violations and misdemeanors, including disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, trespassing, and resisting arrest. Sixteen people were charged with felonies, including 5 protesters accused of terrorism-related crimes.

The NLG was disturbed to receive reports of more than 70 instances of police brutality, most of which occurred at the end of Sunday’s antiwar march at Michigan Avenue and Cermak Road. Most of the injuries were from baton blows to the body and many resulted in serious head injuries. More than two-dozen protesters were taken to Northwestern and Mercy Hospitals and treated for broken bones, knocked out teeth, concussions, and several open wounds requiring stitches……………………………………………….

Read more at National Lawyers Guild.