In About Face, City Pulls Nurses' Protest Permit

UPDATE: Nurses, City Make NATO Protest Deal

Members of the nation's largest nurses union were steaming mad Tuesday and seeking legal action after the city withdrew a permit for a march and rally planned for later this month.

"Apparently the mayor thinks nurses and [musician] Tom Morello are a national security threat," said National Nurses United Executive Director RoseAnn DeMoro.

Thousands of union members planned to rally to demand a tax on banks and other financial institutions. It was scheduled for May 18, the first day of the G-8 summit, which has since been moved to Camp David.

The group received the OK for the events from Chicago's Department of Transportation months ago, but city officials are now demanding their initially-approved route, from the Sheraton Hotel in Streeterville to Daley Plaza, be amended to avoid the Loop.

According to the DeMoro, the city was worried the free concert by the "Rage Against the Machine" singer and guitarist would get out of hand if it were held at Daley Plaza, albeit now 48 hours before the NATO Summit begins.

"How shameful for this last minute attempt to squelch this event – especially given that the G-8 leaders have long since decided to flee from the public view rather than hear our voices."

DeMoro said the union has begun talks with the American Civil Liberties Union. A press conference to "outline a legal challenge" is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday outside Chicago City Hall.

The NATO Summit is scheduled for May 20 and 21.

Note: This post was originally published May 8, 2012.

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