NATO protesters gathered today at the Boeing
headquarters in downtown Chicago, where Alliance Glass and Metal
had assisted with preparations in the weeks leading up to the
event. (Photo: Dan Simon, Alliance Glass and Metal)
Chicago is serving as host to a NATO Summit this week-along with
protesters that have poured into the city in light of the meeting.
According to Dan Simon of Romeo, Ill.-based Alliance Glass and Metal,
it's been business as usual so far during the meetings, but a good
bit of glass and glazing work was completed in preparation for the
week's events.
Today, the Boeing headquarters in downtown Chicago was a major stop
for protesters.
"They prepared for it pretty well down at Boeing," says
Simon. " … Last Tuesday night we were down there at night
covering up their windows with an aluminum panel."
"A lot of preparations were taken for this and a lot was spent
on building security," adds Simon.
The company also spent time at the Chase headquarters covering up
a piece of artwork by Russian-French artist Marc Chagall.
"The city was very adamant about buildings not being boarded
up and making it look like a war zone," says Simon. "And
a lot of the buildings near McCormick Place did board up, but most
of Chicago just looks empty. Most of the building owners took heed
of what the city said."
So far, though, no major damage has occurred. "We really haven't
had to test it," says Simon. "If something happens downtown
and they start breaking windows, I'm sure it will [impact our business]
but right now it's business as usual."
The NATO Summit is scheduled to conclude today. View the video below
for an ABC report about the protest at Boeing.
