Protesters march Thursday night in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. (CBS)
Reporting John Cody
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CHICAGO (CBS) — A Northwestern University political scientist says there is some irony in the tension between city and demonstrators against the NATO Summit, because Chicago needs demonstrators to raise its international profile.
As WBBM Newsradio’s John Cody reports, professor Ian Hurd says the only way Chicago raises its international profile is with big demonstrations, because otherwise there’s no news other than, “a successful meeting was held.”
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s John Cody reports
That will not make headlines in itself, according to Hurd.
“I think the organizers are somewhat aware that they could have chosen to hold the meeting somewhere extremely remote, and hard for protesters to reach,” Hurd said.
Hurd says this is why Canada held the 2002 G-8 Summit in Kananaskis, in the province of Alberta, a resort area in the Rocky Mountains.
“So by putting it in downtown Chicago, the organizers are, to some degree, inviting the protesters as well,” Hurd said.
Together, Hurd said, the world leaders and protesters create a monumental media event.
