Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.

The good people at DuPage Against War Now are going to join other Chicagolanders to knock the dust off the First Amendment:

Protest Bush Visit This Friday in Chicago

Here is a quick recap of the Code Pink meeting in Chicago where they discussed the protest of Mr. Bush's visit this Friday, January 6th.

There were almost 40 people there representing numerous groups:

Mr. Bush is visiting the Board of Trade and then speaking to the Economic Club of Chicago at the Hilton at 720 S. Michigan Avenue. The Hilton is right across from Grant Park, where the demonstration will occur.

There was some discussion about doing a demonstration at the Board of Trade, but that is a very crowded area. There may be a few protesters there, but, since no one knows how the "authorities" will act, it is best to stay with the larger group - safety in numbers.

It is recommended we meet up in Grant Park at 11AM. For those of us coming in from the suburbs, we could plan to meet at Union Station at 10:30 on the Chicago River side and then go down to Grant Park as a group.

We're hoping that several thousand people show up, and from the number of groups represented last night, that does seem possible. The more people that show up, the more "tolerant" the authorities will have to be.

For those of you who remember 1968, this is a very significant site. We don't want a repeat of that, but we do want to be heard and we want Mr. Bush to feel unwelcome in Chicago.

Just like any peaceful protest, stay with a large group. If police or other authorities ask you to do something that you know violates your constitutional rights, this is not the place to have that discussion. There will be several legal groups monitoring the situation and police reaction, but let's try not to get to that point.

Come down to Grant Park with your signs, banners, etc., deliver your message, and return home safely. And make sure you tell your friends and neighbors that you had the guts to be counted.

If any of the chairs of your groups want to have the group listed as a participant in the press releases, send an email to Rachel at prontocha@aol.com or to me at mayatoddbob@netscape.net. ***

If you have any questions, email me or call me at (630)541-7205.

If you attend and (due to a terrible misunderstanding) are placed under arrest, remember this all important rule: If Nobody Talks, Everybody Walks.