A few dozen activists and members of the Northern Illinois Light
Brigade gathered near the Palmer House Hilton Thursday evening in an
effort to shine some light, literally, on the pro-corporate and
conservative American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
Thursday was
day two of ALEC's 40th annual three-day conference, which is being held at the downtown
hotel this week.
The light brigade illuminated large letter signs
that read "Fight To End ALEC," and other slogans. The signs drew attention from
curious people on the street as well as looks from likely ALEC members
as they made their way in and out of the Palmer House.
Activist
Bill Weiss, a Kirkland, Illinois resident, said ALEC creates legislation
that hurts average people while filling the pockets of big corporations.
"As
long as ALEC is allowed to continue to write our laws for us, they’re
never going to be laws for the people," Weiss said. "They're always
going to be laws for the corporations, and we can’t let that happen.” Read more »