Representatives from the Chicago Media Watch Political Action Committee held a press conference at Columbia College in downtown Chicago, then walked through downtown Chicago for a walking tour on a cloudy, damp (but mostly rain-free) Friday morning. The tour sought to bring attention to the FCC's proposal to remove the last media ownership limits in the United States.

The tour made five stops at various downtown Chicago media-themed locations--the Chicago Tribune, and the local affiliates of ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox Chciago. With each stop, the protesters sang a protest song sung to the tune of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," borrowed from the Media Tank website (mediatank.org).

The tour first went north on State street, and made stops at the State-street headquarters of the local ABC and Fox affiliates. The protesters then walked to Michigan avenue and to the Tribune Tower and the nearby NBC Tower. Then north on Michigan avenue to Ontario avenue, then east on Ontario across the street from the Chicago CBS affiliate.

One notable incident occurred near The Tribune tower. The protesters were right near the street-level showcase studios at the Tribune Tower where two WGN radio-show hosts (Kathy O'Malley, Judy Markee) were airing a program on WGN-AM radio behind soundproof glass. One of the WGN hosts addressed the protest during a commerical break using a street-level PA-system, asking the protesters "Are you pissed at *us*?" When the protesters explained what their protest was about, the WGN person responded "Oh, we let the lawyers handle that."

Throughout the protest, the Committee held aloft signs including "Big Media: Weapons of Mass Distraction" and "Media for People, not for Profit." and garnered attention simply with their costumes, including an angel of the airwaves, two pirates, and a big-lipped googly-eyed something that defies description. The costumes continued to attract attention and discussion well after the protest ended.

More information and photos to come on the Chicago Media Watch website and the Chicago Independent Media Center.