Back by popular demand, Chicago NLG member Dan Massoglia hosted a Crypto Party workshop.
The world-wide CryptoParty movement empowers regular people to protect their private data in an era of widespread surveillance. There are many tools available to do this – some more user friendly than others. Technical experts were there for an introduction to crypotography and hands-on help for those who were interested in learning how to keep themselves and their data safe.
On Tuesday May 3, in the Schmitt Academic Center at DePaul, Jeff Frank (of the
National Lawyers Guild, Friends of MST (Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement)), Vicki Cervantes (of the Honduras Solidarity Network), Juan David Lopera (of the Congreso de los Pueblos Colombia), and Jesus Rodriguez Espinosa (Consulate of Venezuela in Chicago) hosted a panel sponsored by DePaul University Department of Peace, Justice, & Conflict Studies, Friends of the MST, Congreso de los Pueblos Colombia, La Voz de los de Abajo, Chicago ALBA Solidarity, and Consulate of Venezuela in Chicago.
Brazil’s right wing opposition voted to begin impeachment against progressive President Dilma Rousseff, even though she is not accused of having committed a crime. The majority who voted to impeach her are themselves under investigation for corruption and other crimes. On March 31, 700,000 marched in support of Rousseff.
Brazil is the latest example of U.S. backed right-wing neoliberal resurgence in Latin America. The events in Brazil follow the U.S. supported coups against democracy in Honduras (2009) and Paraguay (2012), failed coup attempts in Ecuador (2010, 2015), Bolivia (2009), repeated stealing of elections in Haiti, and the ongoing attempt to overthrow President Maduro of Venezuela. Jeff Frank will report on his recent trip to Brazil, including the killing of peasant leaders; other short reports will address the increase in death squad activity in other countries and the role of the U.S.
Full video here:
On Wednesday April 27 at the Corboy Law Center panelists discussed the task force’s report and its ramifications for future policymaking, people’s lawyering, and activism.
On April 13, 2016, the mayor-appointed Chicago Police Accountability Task Force Report released a scathing indictment of the state of the Chicago Police Department. Many applauded the report’s candor, empirical data, and “painful but necessary reckoning.” Others blasted the absence of community members on the task force, an inadequate critique of the City’s disinvestment in mental health, the (over) emphasis on CPD’s “history,” and, above all, the report’s reiteration of lived experiences that have been ignored, dismissed, and appropriated for generations.
Panelists
Paul Strauss, director of impact litigation
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Stan Willis, civil rights and criminal defense attorney
The Law Offices of Standish E. Willis, Ltd.
Cosette Hampton, youth activist and organizer
Black Youth Project 100
Moderator
Alan Raphael, professor of law
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
On Saturday, April 16, EFF co-hosted a free workshop on surveillance self-defense with local grassroots groups based in Chicago. The workshop was particularly structured for lawyers and activists supporting social movements.
Participants did need not wield technical expertise to attend this session, which is geared towards regular smartphone and laptop users. EFF’s Shahid Buttar facilitated a teach-in and skill-share on surveillance, some immediate and practical steps you can take to protect your communications, and how to work with neighbors to inform surveillance policy at the state and local level.
The event was co-sponsored by the Chicago GNU/Linux User Group, Restore the Fourth, and the Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild.
THANK YOU so much to everyone who came out Saturday night to help us celebrate the people power in our beautiful city and raise some resources for NLG Chicago! We raised over $1800 dollars that will help us keep doing our work. Chicago Community Bond Fund made over $200 just selling t-shirts! Enjoy this Love & Struggle Photos album from that night, and tag yourself and your friends! Special thanks is due to Sarah-Ji (our photographer), Lifted Voices (our guest speakers), our DJs, and Lagunitas Brewing Company and Anarchist Brewing Collective for the beer and cider. Thanks again to everyone who showed up to build community towards resistance, and see you next year!
On Thursday March 31 at the Loyola Corboy Law Center, the Chicago NLG co-sponsored an event discussing the over 3,500 women are incarcerated in the state of Illinois. It covered such topics as who are these women, and how they end up in prison. The panel addresses the reality of prison for women, the effects of prison on women and the consequences in their lives and their communities.
