A middle-of-the-Loop protest rally and march on the opening day of the NATO summit would clog traffic and “drain” Chicago police resources as officers turn their attention to world leaders descending on the city and the Cubs and Sox squaring off at Wrigley Field — not to mention the regular duties throughout the city.
That’s the case Chicago officials made Tuesday before an administrative law judge hearing an appeal of the city’s decision to deny protesters a permit to march from Daley Plaza — which can hold a maximum 5,000 — south along State Street and Michigan Avenue to McCormick Place on May 20, opening day of the NATO summit.
An "administrative law judge?" We imagine that means he's appointed by the city which means this decision is preordained - the protestors are going to be stuck with 19 May as their date. That isn't to say they won't appeal - they will. And they might very well win.
What's truly amusing is what the city and brass are saying:
Debra Kirby, the police department’s chief of international relations, said the route protesters want would place a “significant drain” on resources.
She and others have argued that NATO would draw a larger number of dignitaries than the G-8.