WHO:
* Defendants in the case: Lisa Brooks, Therese Quinn and Gabriela Fitz
* Legal representation for defendants: Julie Bauer, partner at Winston & Strawn.
* Legal representation for Alderman Schulter, Robert W. Fioretti


WHEN:
March 18th, 11 AM


WHERE:
Daley Center, Rm. 2205


WHY:
The defendants, who have a history of political activity in the 47th ward, produced
a satirical newspaper to bring attention to the pace of gentrification in their
neighborhoods. They have been public about their views that Alderman Schulter's
policies and actions have brought about, in their view, damaging changes to ward
constituents in terms of lost affordable housing and business space, skyrocketing
property taxes, and condominium conversions and new development that well outpace
need.

Alderman Eugene Schulter has filed a lawsuit against the defendants, claiming
that the satirical paper was both libelous and slanderous. The suit brings into
question the very tenets of the free speech and petition clauses of the First
Amendment.

The plaintiff is represented by Robert W. Fioretti and Sandra Lund of Fioretti
& Des Jardins, Ltd. The defendants have secured pro-bono representation via
Winston & Strawn.

The suit is a case study in local Chicago politics and the debate on issues of
gentrification and affordable housing, the increasing use of private lawsuits
to address issues of public concern, and the use of such suits to stifle free
speech and political participation.

Copies of the satirical paper "The Alderpuppet Purports" can be viewed at www.47ward.org.

# # #

_______________________________________________
imc-editorial mailing list
imc-editorial (at) lists.indymedia.org
lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-editorial