Pat Barcas photo
Hundreds of demonstrators from dozens of unions, community organizations and other groups surrounded the Palmer House Hilton in protest over the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) 40th annual conference happening inside the hotel
By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013
CHICAGO — They filled the streets, they chanted, they cheered, they protested and some got arrested, all to expose a dangerous influence in America known as ALEC.
More than 1,000 people came out Aug. 8 in Chicago to protest the 40th annual gathering of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) at the Palmer House Hilton. Seven people were arrested after the protest when Chicago Police pushed back against the crowd on Monroe Street.
“I’ve got carpenters here. I’ve got nurses here. I’ve got the ATU here. I’ve got everyday Americans, operating engineers, I’ve got everybody,” said Bob Reiter, secretary treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Labor.
“There’s a reason why every single one of you is here. It’s because of groups like ALEC who are pushing an agenda to hurt every day Americans,” Reiter said.
Indeed, working people, students, faith leaders and community activists took part in the week of action against the corporate political agenda.
“I’m just out here to show support for the working class,” said Shavon Washington, who smiled as she waved a pro Obamacare sign at the rally. “We have to let people know the type of influence ALEC has on the political climate in America, it’s dangerous.”
The powerful corporate lobbying group that is ALEC has long operated behind closed doors since their founding in Illinois in 1973, but has a far-reaching influence with often devastating consequences.
ALEC model legislation includes the infamous “Stand Your Ground” gun laws, restrictive voter ID/voter suppression legislation and a barrage of legislation that restricts collective bargaining rights and access to health care filed in state legislatures across the country.
ALEC has produced about 1,000 such bills — most of them written by lobbyists and executives of firms like Exxon-Mobil, BP, Monsanto, Bank of America and Koch Industries. A report released by the Center for Media and Democracy says that ALEC created 466 bills in the 2013 legislative session alone.
Well funded corporations pick up the tab for ALEC conferences like last week’s gathering at the Palmer House, wining and dining state legislators who will return the favor by working to pass ALEC’s legislation in their states.
“It’s criminal, the influence corporations have over legislation in this country,” said Alex Cabrera, a protester marching the picket line wrapping around the corner on State Street.
“This is just one example of many though. It’s happening, but these protests are growing larger in my opinion. We have to keep fighting,” said Klimczak. “This is by far one of the best projects I’ve been involved with. The guys and gals in the unions have been great. The only word I have is phenomenal. ”