Thousands of protesters gather for pre-NATO rally
Thousands of nurses and other protesters began gathering at a downtown Chicago plaza Friday to demand a “Robin Hood” tax on banks’ financial transactions, the largest protest yet ahead of a two-day NATO summit that is expected to draw even larger demonstrations.
National Nurses United officials expect about 2,000 nurses to attend Friday’s rally to call for the tax to offset cuts in social services, education and health care. They were joined by members of the Occupy movement, unions and veterans.
City officials say the event could draw more than 5,000 people because of a performance by former Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, an activist who has played at many Occupy events.