One protester was arrested tonight after a rally and march to oppose the U.S. occupation of Iraq after he chanted ‘free speech’ near an Army of One recruiting station at the Taste of Chicago near Balbo and Columbus Drive. The Army recruiting booth was packing up as the arrest occurred.

Mike Durschmid had joined a group of fellow activists carrying anti-war signs and flags who had gathered near the army recruiting station to do counter-recruiting work, including chanting anti-war and anti-recruiting slogans, according to eyewitnesses.

A police commander who refused to identify himself to the protesters approached and began shouting at the group and told other police in the area to move forward, saying the protesters had to move off. The commander also told protesters they were not allowed to have poles and sticks attached to their signs and banners, according to eyewitnesses. The commander then lunged into the crowd, grabbed a high school student and threatened him with arrest.

Another officer pushed a protester, began grabbing signs and flags and breaking their poles. Police ignored protesters’ queries about their mandate to protect private property and freedom of speech.

A large group of 40 or 50 onlookers had gathered, according to sources, and grew increasingly critical of police behavior during the incident.

Protesters continued to raise the issue of freedom of speech with the commander. Durschmid then asked loudly, “Does this look like free speech?” The commander then grabbed Durshmid, saying “That’s incitement.” Durschmid responded, “Free speech,” and the commander cuffed him and placed him under arrest.

Durschmid has been taken to the men’s lockup at 17th and State Street, where supporters are gathering to provide jail solidarity, meet with legal support and collect bond funds.

The counter-recruiting effort came after the end of a ‘Taste of Democracy?’ action at Congress and Michigan to mark the transfer of token ‘sovereignty’ to a new U.S.-sanctioned government in Iraq. Several hundred peace activists gathered for the action, which was organized around the demand that Iraq be freed from occupation by U.S. troops and their allies, something protesters argue the token June 27 ‘transfer’ will fail to accomplish.

Peace activists from several groups have also been conducting ongoing counter-recruiting efforts each day at the Taste near military recruiting stations and around military recruiters trolling the crowd for potential enlistees.

With public opposition to the U.S. occupation growing steadily, protesters encouraged people attending the Taste of Chicago to join them in a public expression of opposition to the ongoing U.S. occupation of Iraq. Public response to the action was overwhelmingly positive.

Speakers also raised the issue of ongoing revelations about the scope of U.S. abuses against Iraqis. The march included a stretch down Columbus Drive past Buckingham Fountain, where protesters deviated from the route agreed upon with police and instead staged another rally in front of the fountain.

“The Bush Administration claims it has transferred power to an Iraqi government, but in reality this government is a puppet regime,” said Linda Beckstrom of Peace Pledge-Chicago, which initiated the action. “This is yet another Bush Administration smokescreen designed to keep U.S. military and business interests in firm control of Iraq and its oil. As this charade plays out, both U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians are killed and injured every day in the wake of our government’s unjustified war on Iraq. Today’s protest was designed to underscore the continuing need to demand an immediate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq -- and an end to the abuses created by our government’s unjustifiable invasion and occupation.”

Endorsing and participating organizations for the June 30 action included the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network, the Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism, the Eighth Day Center for Justice, Enough is Enough, the Hyde Park Committee Against War and Racism, the National Boricua Human Rights Network, the National Black United Front, the National Lawyer's Guild/Chicago Chapter, the Nicaragua Solidarity Committee, Peace Pledge/Chicago, the Palestine Solidarity Group, the Prairie Fire Organizing Committee, and a number of anarchist and autonomist formations.