Mayor moves protest planned against NATO

CHICAGO – Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration pulled the plug Tuesday on the only NATO protest planned for a work day in the Loop business district, revoking permission for a May 18 Daley Plaza rally.

The National Nurses United group that planned the demonstration and other protest groups called the move a violation of free speech and said it fits a pattern of City Hall trying to marginalize demonstrations against the May 20-21 gathering.

“If the nurses are a threat to Rahm Emanuel, then heaven help the U.S.,” said RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of National Nurses United.

The city said it needed to move the rally because it was likely to exceed the group’s attendance estimate of 1,000 people.