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Occupy Chicago Rallies In Support Of Jailed 'NATO 5' Protesters

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mark Neiweem is behind bars, accused of trying to sabotage the NATO Summit in May.

On Tuesday, protesters gathered to fight for his freedom.

Prosecutors say he talked about buying explosives to bust up the summit.

As CBS 2's Susanna Song reports, Neiweem was in court for a status hearing on his case.

Protesters arrived at Cook County Criminal Court to support him and the so-called "NATO 5," who are in jail awaiting charges for alleged criminal activity before the summit.

The NATO 5 have been in Cook County Jail for six months now for terrorism related charges.

Occupy Chicago protesters and members of the anarchist Black Cross group say the charges are based on political views and not based on evidence.

They aren't giving up the fight to get the charges dropped.

"I'm not doing it for myself, or friends, but for those locked up for their political beliefs, trapped into saying things that they shouldn't have but had no intention to commit violence," said Rachel Unterman of Occupy Chicago.

Simultaneously, right now in New York City, Chicago native Jeremy Hammond is in federal court charged with hacking into a computer system and providing information to Wikileaks.

"Jeremy is one of many speaking of the injustices and facing prison from the hands of the state," Jeremy's brother, Jason, said at Tuesday's protest.

Today the "Cleveland 4" will also be sentenced. They were accused of plotting to blow up a bridge.

They could face 18 to 33 years.

Meanwhile, the NATO 5 will mostly go to trial next September.

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