May 18 2012
G8 and NATO Protests Kick Off, Confronting Global Capitalism and Militarism
The United States is hosting two international gatherings this week. In Chicago representatives from 60 nations will meet for the 25th NATO summit to discuss the alliance’s future role in Afghanistan. The organization is expected to come to an agreement on the cost and size of continued support for the war-torn nation past 2014, when combat operations are expected to end. The Windy city was also slated to host the annual meeting of the Group of 8 nations, or G-8, however, the White House changed venues abruptly in March to Camp David, citing a desire, “to facilitate a free-flowing discussion with our close G8 partners … in an informal and intimate setting.” Many have speculated that the change was made to avoid the large demonstrations that are expected to converge on downtown Chicago.
The Occupy Wall Street movement has pledged to make both events focal points for protest arguing that both NATO and the G8 represent unfettered capitalism and militarism. Occupy Chicago has launched a week of events this week leading up to the May 21 NATO summit. Meanwhile, in the towns of Frederick and Fairmont near Camp David, activists are organizing a People’s Economic Summit on Friday, the first day of the G8 summit, focusing on wealth inequality, the eradication of poverty, and the creation of an equitable tax system.
GUESTS: Dylan Petrohilos, an organizer with Occupy Frederick near Camp David, Crystal Vance Guerra, an organizer with Occupy El Barrio and Occupy Chicago
One Response to “G8 and NATO Protests Kick Off, Confronting Global Capitalism and Militarism”
We must abandon the “love it or leave it” attitude, where the general public has rolled over for Corporate America and accepted it’s our job to pay their way. Year after year these companies report record profits so why aren’t they paying record taxes? These companies have the power to not only save our economy but to close the income gap by paying employees more but instead they gut the Middle Class for all their worth. Every single protester is a hero in my book and I even helped create some free posters for the cause which you can download from my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/11/propaganda-for-occupy-movement.html