100+ Demonstrators Protest Parking Meters

The protest was sparked by an impending installation of new parking meters on S. Commercial, between 87th & 89th streets. Some businesses along this commercial shopping district want meters to help ease parking congestion, while others are opposed.

"The community does not want these meters," said James Nabe, a long-time South Chicago resident. "Basically this is a community killer. If they put up meters on Commercial, come back in a year and you will see a bunch of boarded up buildings. It's a money grab."

The protest started a little late and a little slow, but at 10:30 AM, a bus load of people with the Centro Comunitario Juan Diego, a community organization located on the stretch of S. Commercial in question, unloaded 60 or so protesters carrying signs in both English and Spanish decrying the meters.

"No More Parking Meters," read one sign, another read "Alto No Mas," had a drawing of a person being shaken upside down by a parking meter and actual coins taped to the sign, while another exclaimed "Break Meters."

A few of the organizers got on the bullhorn to say a few words including Mr. Nabe and Robert Garcia from the CCJD, who said, "there are three reasons we're here today," and then ticked off their platform of asking Ald. Pope to not install more meters in South Chicago and the East Side, send a message to the entire city that the parking meter lease is a problem for the city and show people they should not be afraid to speak out.

Protesters then marched up and down the block in front of Ald. Pope's offices for nearly 20 minutes, loudly chanting slogans like "Liars, punks, cheaters, thieves. We don't need your stinking meters."

The protesters main arguments was the added cost to the poor of the area and the impact the meters may have on business.

"We're less than a mile from the Indiana state line," explained Nabe. "People with automobiles have options. In six blocks you can be in Indiana without taxes as high as Chicago. If you have an automobile, what is the incentive to shop in this area with Indiana so close. If you actually talk to the business owners, they don't want them (the meters)."

No one from the Alderman's office had comments during the protest.