Chicago activists protest Heartland Institute conference » peoplesworld

CHICAGO - Over a dozen environmental activists gathered across the street from the Hilton hotel on May 22 to protest the Heartland Institute, which put up ads comparing environmentalists to the Unabomber, and in today's conference, continued their corporate-backed campaign of climate change denial. Activists fought back, telling the pseudo-science outfit to "stop the lies."

..."I studied climate change science at MIT," said Brad Johnson, campaign manager of Forecast the Facts. "And I learned the magnitude of the problem we're facing. But this has been known by real scientists for decades." However, "Heartland is defending corporate denial of these harsh realities, and also taking money from the tobacco industry to do it. Meanwhile, they deny the threat of cigarette smoke" as well...

As Johnson spoke, the police presence and attendance of some right-wing-leaning reporters (with condescending smiles) at the demonstration was noticeable. As such, Johnson concluded, "I'd like to thank all of the corporate-funded people here right now [who are] putting a face to climate change denial."

...As well-dressed business executives paused in passing for the space of a sarcastic laugh, and right-wing reporters and their cameramen infringed on the activists' personal space, a speaker remarked, "We'd like to welcome all the representitives of the corporate one percent. I don't know if these guys are hired actors or what, but I'd like to thank them for their mockery and utter lack of respect."

The intrusion didn't stop the cheers or the spirit of the small crowd, however. A member of Greenpeace declared, "Ninety-seven percent of scientists know what's really going on. In the end, we're going to win and the public is going to understand the truth."