Life in Occupied ChicagoStephen Lendman, Contributor Secret Service agents, NORTHCOM and National Guard forces, as well as thousands of state and local police seem everywhere. Getting around feels hazardous. Anyone may be stopped, searched, interrogated, even arrested. Residents were advised to hunker down and stay out of harms way as best as possible. For many, its not easy. More on a city under siege below. NATO is the worlds first global war-making alliance. Largely a US imperial tool, its a killing machine. Its 28 members and dozens of partner states comprise about one-third of the worlds nations. Article 4 of its charter calls for members to consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any is threatened. Article 5 considers an armed attack (real or otherwise) against one or more members, an attack against all, and calls for collective self-defense. NATOs a global menace, a killing machine, a weapon of mass destruction threatening humanity, an alliance for war, conquest and dominance, not peace. Enemies dont exist so theyre invented. Wealth and power interests alone benefit. Humanitarian intervention is code language for aggressive wars. Pretexts are contrived to wage them. NATO plans global dominance. Chinas being encircled. Encroachment approaches Russias borders. Its targeted by strategic missiles for offense, not defense. At the 2010 Munich Conference, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message. He cancelled plans to attend the May 18 and 19 G8 summit. He wont be with NATO states in Chicago. Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev represents him. Both leaders are justifiably concerned. Putin participated in the Moscow Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit with most former Soviet Republics. On May 3 and 4, 50 nations attended the Moscow missile defense conference. Representatives from NATOs 28 states came. So did China, Japan, and South Korea. At issue was Americas so-called missile shield. It represents major friction between Moscow and Washington. So is concern about war on Syria and Iran, as well as Obama administration officials fomenting and backing anti-government protests in Russia. Putins not silent. He opposes Americas aggressive wars. In February 2007 at Munichs 43rd Conference, he said: He categorically rejected unipolarity. He unequivocally advocates non-proliferation. He opposes imperial wars. He favors international cooperation, not confrontation. He seeks responsible and independent partners for peace in a fair and democratic world order that (will) ensure security and prosperity not only for a select few, but for all. Hes out of sync with warrior NATO states. His remarks didnt go down well in Washington. At the time, Bush was still president. Since 2009, Obama exceeded his worst policies. He threatens global war. Putin and other leaders are concerned. So are tens of thousands protesting on Chicago streets. On May 18, The New York Timesheadlined Chicago Protests Draw Thousands Before NATO Event, saying: On May 18, the Chicago Sun Times said three protesters were charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism. Theyre accused of three felony crimes. They include alleged possession of an explosive or incendiary device, conspiracy to commit terrorism, and providing material support to terrorism. No evidence whatever proved it. According to National Lawyers Guild (NLG) attorney Sarah Gelsomino: Accusations claimed Molotov cocktail preparations. Gelsomino added: The men were driving. Police squad cars stopped them. They were detained for no apparent reason and asked questions about why they were in Chicago and what they planned to do during the NATO summit. Other arrests were made. On Friday, some were released. Police had no comment. They prepared months before NATOs arrival. Crowd control training using special equipment is involved. Sound cannon use is planned. They emit ear-splitting chirping noise. Called LRAD (long range acoutic device), its able to cause permanent hearing loss and other ill effects. The Illinois ACLU and other groups protested against using military technology on peaceful civilian demonstrators. Chicagos version mounts mid-sized satellite dishes on vehicles or atop high poles. They focus intense sound beams on targets. They cover a 30 degree arc up to 1,600 feet away. They reach 150 decibels. According to the National Institute of Deafness, noise above 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss. University of Missouri Professor Karen Piper participated in an earlier G20 protest. LRAD sound cannons were used. She partially lost hearing and sued. She said: Police deny clear dangers. Official statements call LRAD a risk management tool. Cops are also equipped with new armor, shields, hippie-beaters, surveillance cameras, and other devices and equipment. On Friday, thousands marched through downtown streets. NLG lawyer Ben Meyer denounced what he called an excessive police presence. Dozens of officers milled through crowds. Some videotaped activities. Dozens of protesters blocked Michigan Avenue traffic peacefully. Its close to where this writer lives. Confrontations with police followed. One or more arrests were made for aggravated battery of a police officer. Bogus charges like this occur often. Cops commit violence. Victims are blamed. Justice is denied. The Chicago Tribune called Friday a peaceful start to NATO protests. In fact, scattered confrontations occurred. Roads were blocked. Demomstrators chanted these are our streets (and) parks. Larger-scale Saturday rallies and marches followed. Others are planned for Sunday. NLGs Gelsomino said arrests made are done to scare protesters. This is playbook. (Its) shoddy police work. Its a fear campaign. The Chicago Sun Times headlined What does an anarchist look like or stand for? saying: They dont conform to dress codes. They resemble ordinary people. They oppose war and resent being called anarchists. The Sun Times also published a NATO Survival Guide. It advised staying home. For those traveling around the city, it said good luck. Expect traffic, bus and train delays. Some roads are closed. Open ones will be congested. Expect patdowns, searches and other screenings. Forget about local museums and other downtown attractions. Stay far away from McCormick Place NATO headquarters. Avoid the South Side entirely. Major arteries will be closed. Even side streets north of the Chicago River in this writers neighborhood are affected. To accommodate heads of state entourages, Kennedy Expressway to OHare airport will experience unannounced rolling closures over its entire route. Through Monday, expect delays, discomfort, disruptions, and unprovoked police confrontations. Hopefully peaceful rallies and marches wont become battlegrounds. Given Chicago PDs odious reputation, odds are long against avoiding what some longtime residents fear. NATO doesnt arrive anywhere peacefully. Why should Chicagoans expect otherwise? Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.His new book is titled How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized Banking, Government Collusion and Class War Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening. http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/ 