Memorial Day is coming up. It's a day we pay homage to and honor the memory of those that died to protect the freedoms we hold so dear. Before that day comes though, the City of Chicago will be hosting the NATO summit in downtown Chicago.
While I don't agree with much of what the people protesting the summit believe, the honor of those who died protecting the right of free speech would be trampled upon by not allowing the protests to proceed.
The summit and those who protests create a serious issue for the City of Chicago, Secret Service and Homeland Security. The people who live, work and commute through the area of the summit are having their freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness infringed upon by the security measures in place for the summit. People who would otherwise enjoy a beautiful weekend in the city visiting museums and parks, enjoying their boats, the lake front, and other tax payer funded amenities, will have their freedoms infringed upon as well.
Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
There is a fine line between the freedoms all these groups are entitled to. There is not a fine line between freedom of speech and causing general mayhem. One group sees the summit as a chance to create mayhem at the expense of both the protesters and the citizens of this great city. There intent as listed on many websites is to encourage others to inflict violence and mayhem upon this city.
This group does everything possible to hide their identities when creating and encouraging disorder. If they truly believed in what they were doing, where the masks and the disguises? Why not stand for what you believe in. Probably, because they are just common thugs using a forum to create violence and destruction. They become no better than common criminals or terrorists.
Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
I hope those that protest in good faith and belief will have the courage to stand up to those that are out to only cause destruction. Point them out police - let them be arrested for their violent illegal actions. Because if you don't, you are just as guilty for the violence and destruction as they are. And isn't that what you are protesting? Violence and destruction against others?
One week before Memorial Day. don't dishonor those that died to protect your freedom of speech and dissent. March and protest peacefully.
