Try protesting with your vote

I’m a long time Chicago denizen. Raised on the Northwest side, I spent many happy hours in the city. While I may be considered a suburbanite, I consider Chicago my home.

Those folks who came to Chicago to protest while the NATO summit was occurring should be aware of something from those of us who consider this city home. We don’t appreciate your attempts at destroying property in the city. We are not impressed by your attempts to portray the Chicago Police as being out of control. You really need to check the video of what went on, as the events were thoroughly covered by the press. My question to you folks is why, when the police told you to move, you didn’t? The police have no influence on what NATO does, they only protect the public. You actually threatened the public well-being, so what was your point?

If you really want to affect the outcome of what the United States does concerning NATO, then vote. Stop complaining about this stuff and vote, run for office. The only lawful way to change things in this country is to go to the voting booth. All this other stuff you do is not impressive and not welcome. We, in the United State, effect change by changing our representatives in government. I’m not sure how you other folks deal with it.

I was swept up in the 1968 police riot (as an innocent bystander while I was on my way to a prom dinner.) You folks should thank the Chicago Police Department for being as controlled as they were. And considering the outcomes in other cities where this meeting has been held, I think our hats should be off to the Chicago Police Department for this not being as bad as it really could have been.

Mary Gaudio

Carpentersville