At least 20 people arrested or detained by Chicago police during yesterday’s NATO protests were released from custody overnight, according to other protesters and representatives of a lawyers’ organization offering them free legal advice, says the Chicago Tribune, which called the event a “mostly peaceful gathering.” A total of 45 people were arrested during Sunday’s protests, police said. The NATO meeting and protests continue today.
One of those arrested is a freelance photographer covering the protests for Getty Images, said Mickey Osterreicher, general counsel for the National Press Photographers Association. The photographer was released just before 4 a.m. As one man who was released walked past a group of police officers, he said, “See you guys tomorrow” and uttered an expletive at them. The officers didn’t react. Most of those who have been released were cited with violating city ordinances, but some have been released without charges.