Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, the NLG Chicago Board has decided to cancel our April 29th May Day Gathering. We are contacting those who have already purchased tickets. If you have already purchased a ticket and would like a refund, please contact us at chicago@nlg.org. If you would like to keep your ticket as a donation to the NLG, we will appreciate your support. People who purchased tickets at the Haymarket Martyr level who do not refund their ticket will still receive a gift bag.
The Board made this decision due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, and due to the irresponsible state decision to remove the mask mandate on public transit. The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and we do not want to risk anyone’s health or safety for an optional social gathering. While symptoms of COVID-19 are less life-threatening when people are fully vaccinated and boosted, so much about the long-term health impact of COVID-19 is unknown.
In addition, the risk of mass COVID-19 infections among members of NLG Chicago could severely limit our ability to support Chicago’s movements seeking Legal Observers® or support from the Mass Defense Committee. Our responsibility is to the movements in Chicago–and a large, primarily indoor gathering during another wave of infections, would betray that responsibility.
We are continuing to watch case numbers to the best of our ability–which is limited by irresponsible changes in how CDPH is reporting COVID-19 data. We hope to be able to host an outdoor gathering later in the summer when it is safer to do so, and if that become possible, we will share more information.
The Chicago NLG continues to uphold our mission that “human rights and the rights of the environment are more sacred than property interests”. Our Legal Observer® Program continues to send volunteers to observe and document police activity at First Amendment protected protests. Our Mass Defense Committee continues to provide legal advocacy for those targeted by the state for exercising their right to challenge all forms of oppression.
All of this work could not be done without your financial support. While we cannot raise funds in person at our May Day Party, we would greatly appreciate your financial support. You can make a donation at this link.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
In Solidarity,
The Board of the Chicago NLG
