Take a Cue from Rahm?

There are those who think that Rahm is stocking up on pepper spray, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Others think that is nonsense. One has said this is Chicago; we don’t do things like that. It was reported today (February 14, 2012) that:

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration has awarded a $193,461 emergency contract to Colorado-based Super Seer Corp. for the purchase of 3,057 new and improved shields to be used by officers on the front lines during the May 19-21 summits at McCormick Place.[1]

I would strongly suggest that anyone participating in the NATO or G8 summit protest take a cue from Rahm. Prepare to protect yourself. Here are a few suggestions and sources

• Amazon: Gas Mask
• Amazon: Extra filters
• Amazon: Gas Mask Field Bags and Kits
• Amazon: Body Armor
• Amazon: Helmet

Since this is the direction that the Chicago Police Department is heading it is probably best to get ready for the same from them. 

There is no rational point in preparing to wage an aggressive, offensive action against the Chicago Police Department. They are not the enemy. As a matter of fact if they were not so paranoid, I’d say give ‘em a hug. 

However, personal protection gear is not a budget breaker if bough a piece at a time, and it may come in handy at some point in the next decade … if not this May in Chicago. 

My son is ex-Navy. How ex? He just got out this past June. We were talking about preparation for Gas attacks today. His take was simple. Preparation for Gas attacks is only useful if you are doing the attacking. As the target of a gas attack you will have about 15 seconds to get the mask and CBN gloves on. It takes 45 seconds to get that gear on. That leaves you exposed for 30 seconds. And that is long enough to feel the effects. So what to do? He suggested wet face bandana if they are deploying Tear Gas. My suggestion? Put on the mask before you hit the street but, that may not be practical. 

On that note, however, the Chicago Police Department has said they do not want to use Tear Gas on the NATO/G8 protestors this coming May[2]. Are they trustworthy? Yes. And, No. That may be their best intentions, but situations may get escalated. Based on tweets coming out of the General Assembly at the House at Congress Square this evening (February 15, 2012), Occupy Chicago still insist that they are a non-violent community. I’ve watch them long enough to conclude that to be true. We can only hope that those who come to Chicago to protest take their cue from Occupy Chicago.

With that in mind, the best suggestion yet is: bring a camera. 

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[1] Spielman, F. (2012, February 14). City buys face shields to protect cops from G-8 protesters . In Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 14, 2012, from http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/10622261-418/city-buys-face-shields-to-protect-cops-from-g-8-protesters.html

[2] Bergen, K., & Coen, J. (2012, February 15). Business leaders brace for G-8, NATO. In Chicago Tribune: Chicagoland. Retrieved February 16, 2012, from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-biz-g8-nato-protest-worries-20120216,0,3972510.story