Photos: 13 Chicago Gay Rights Activists Arrested in ENDA Sit-In
http://www.towleroad.com/2010/05/photos-13-chicago-gay-rights-activists-arrested-in-enda-sitin.htmlThirteen gay activists in Chicago have been arrested, cited, and released following a flashmob and sit-in protest at Senator Dick Durbin's office over his lack of response to a pledge to support a transgender-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
"The activists arrived in Senator Durbin's office at noon during a protest in support of ENDA that was taking place in front of the Federal Building. With Pledge in hand they arrived and stated they would not leave until the Senator signed the pledge. The Senator was not in the Chicago office and when the group asked to speak to the Senator via phone, they were told 'that is not possible.' They refused to leave until the pledge was signed. The staffer then called the Federal authorities to have them removed from the office.
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LGBT Change on Durbin sit-in
Thursday, May 20, 2010
FROM A PRESS RELEASE
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26651Gay Rights Activists arrested after sit-in in Sen. Durbin's office
Sit-in organized due to lack of senator's response on ENDA
Chicago, IL—May 20, 2010—As part of a broad strategy to gain a vote on ENDA this year, a group of 13 Chicago activists have been arrested after a sit-in in Senator Richard J. Durbin's office. The sit-in was initiated due to the Senator's lack of response regarding a pledge that a coalition of activist groups sent to the senator for signature. The pledge ( in its entirety below ) affirms his commitment to a transgender-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and forceful advocacy of the bill before the Media and Senate. The 'form letter' response received from the senator via email did state his support for ENDA, but does not mention transgender protections as part of the bill he supports:
