ALEC's Unwelcome Party in Chicago
By James Anderson, Truthout |
A wide coalition of labor, activist and social justice grass-roots groups along with concerned individuals turned out in Chicago last week to protest the now-infamous American Legislative Exchange Council's 40th anniversary conference.
Writing on the building outside the Palmer House Hotel in downtown Chicago says "igniting passions since 1871." The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) held its 40th anniversary conference at the hotel, igniting the passions of protesters who came out to inveigh against ALEC's agenda during a demonstration August 8.
Birthed in Chicago, ALEC first met in September 1973. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit it has tax-exempt status. ALEC "also develops model bills and resolutions on economic issues," as the organization's website states, noting that those bills "can be helpful resources" for legislators pursuing privatization of public services.
To kick off the conference, ALEC arranged to have British Parliament member Conor Burns speak at a leadership dinner August 6 before major meeting events the following three days. An ALEC meeting program notes Burns' relationship with the late Margaret Thatcher, renowned for gutting public projects. He reportedly "visited Lady Thatcher at her home every Sunday evening for drinks [and] developed a close bond." He described the former prime minister as a "mentor, a protectress [and] friend."
Coinciding with the early conference dinner, various protests took place at the Palmer House as ALEC members arrived. Direct actions included a #MoralMonday event inside the hotel, a march on ALEC from Michigan and Congress on Wednesday, more picketing and a free film screening of the documentary "United States of ALEC," narrated by Bill Moyers, at the University Center Chicago, sponsored by Common Cause Illinois.
But the big public declamation and unwelcoming party took place Thursday, August 8. Labor groups, economic justice organizations, independent artists, a few media outlets and myriad others filled the sidewalks along Monroe Street outside the Palmer House.
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