Please Circulate Widely: What will happen in Chicago on May 20

[Students for a Democratic Society]

Students & Youth: Protest the NATO Summit in Chicago MAY 20, 2012

At the invitation of the White House, military and civilian representatives of the 28-nation US-commanded and largely US-financed North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are meeting in Chicago on May 20th, 2012.

As students and youth of the United States, we see our economy, side by side with other nations across the world, deteriorating. While jobs are being slashed and social services are cut, the cost of education only continues to grow. While students are forced to work and go to school full-time just to pay for books, our government is pouring trillions of dollars into wars and occupations abroad that result in thousands of deaths, claiming that there is no money to be found for social services like: education, housing and health care. Ending the wars would mean trillions of dollars of savings annually that could be spent on human needs here in the United States! We want money for EDUCATION not for war!

On MAY 20TH, representatives of NATO will be meeting in Chicago to determine global policies that will affect OUR future. Students for a Democratic Society, alongside other students, is mobilizing to spread the message that the people's needs come before corporate profit.

Will you join the student contingent in Chicago on May 20th to protest NATO and raise the following demands?

WE DEMAND that U.S./NATO begin an immediate withdrawal from Afghanistan.
WE DEMAND that money be spent for education, not for global conflict. Education is the future of a democratic society.
WE WILL PROTEST the NATO meeting in Chicago and join the student contingent on Sunday, May 20th.

Sign the pledge online

Join the student contingent! Look for the SDS flags at the opening rally. More info forthcoming about address and line-up for the march.

Students for a Democratic Society is circulating the update below from the Coalition Against NATO and the G8 War & Poverty Agenda:

(please forward widely) Take the Peace Train to Chicago   We have worked out a 10% discount with AMTRAK for anyone traveling to the Chicago demonstration on May 20. You can use this discount to travel to and from Chicago on an AMTRAK train from anywhere in the country during the period from May 17 to May 23. To get the special rate, you need to make a reservation and give them the “Convention fare code number of X50K-949.” If they ask you what organization you are from, it is UNAC. AMTRAK fares go up the closer it gets to the day of departure. So, to get the lowest fare, it is best to reserve a seat as soon as possible. There are other discounts for seniors and youth that may be cheaper. What will happen in Chicago on May  20th.    At noon on May 20th, a massive rally and march will be held.  The march will be lead by members Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and end with a ceremony where Afghanistan War Veterans will return their medals to NATO as the thousands of marchers witness and support their action.  This important service to their country in the pursuit of peace on the part of the IVAW members will be viewed around the world.   Prior to the march, there will be a rally that will begin at noon at the Petrillo Bandshell, corner of Jackson Blvd. & Columbus Drive in Chicago.  At the rally there will be speakers including Jesse Jackson, Col. Ann Wright, Kathy Kelly, representative from the movements against NATO and war from Europe, Canada, Mexico and the Philippians, union leaders, immigrants' rights leaders, leaders for the Muslim Peace Coalition and many others.  There will be music, mostly prior to the speakers and then the march will set off lead by IVAW members in uniform and marching in formation.   The march and rally have gained impressive support including Jesse Jackson, the Chicago Teachers Union, all the SEIU locals in the city the United Electrical workers, the National Nurses United union, Veterans for Peace, Voices for Creative Non-violence, UNAC, leaders in the Muslim community, immigrant rights leaders and many more.   Click here for some talks by leaders building the NATO and G8 protests that were given at the recent UNAC conference as produced by Stan Heller for “The Struggle.”   The People’s Summit.   The People’s Summit will also take place at the headquarter of Occupy Chicago on May 12 and 13.  There will be workshops and plenary sessions where we will project an alternative message of the future to that of NATO and the G8.   Click here for more information on the People’s Summit.   Join us in Chicago.   click here to donate to UNAC Click here for the Facebook UNAC group.    To remove yourself from the UNAC listserv, please send an email to:      UNAC-uns...@lists.riseup.net   To add yourself to the UNAC listserv, please send an email to:       UNAC-su...@lists.riseup.net