Chris Drew Arrested in Chicago selling speech in Chicago --State Street in front of Macy's

Chris Drew, on Dec.2, 2009, Wednesday, at approx. 1:30 pm, was arrested for an art action-selling speech- on State Street in front of Macy's. Wearing his red poncho with a taped on sign, proclaiming "Art for Sale $1." and covered with hand silk screened art patches by local Chicago Artists. Police arrive and he is told his action is illegal, and subject to arrest if he continues.Chris refuses to leave, and claims his rights, and he is put in handcuffs and taken away in an unmarked car. There were about 7-8 cops on the scene. Chris allowed his arrest in order to further the Artist's Free Speech Rights Movement. After his arrest, It was hard to find where he was taken. Response from Police station was first that there was no record of him, then a bit later, the response to his wife, was to call back in six hours!! to find out his status and location. I taped this action, and other former actions, on request of Chris, as to have a document of his journey. Background audio is location sound of the Bucket Boys, who were also threatened with arrest, but moved on, and the audio from the Christmas window displays at Macy's on State. Video document by Nancy Bechtol

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• street artist
• Chris Drew
• activism
• free speech
• 1st amendment rights
• Chicago
• artist rights
• art action

[madpalX]

Health Summary – Direct message from C. Drew : My lung cancer treatments are completed and all signs suggest successfully. In a month tests will reveal more on my progress. Every day I will be recovering more and more from these treatments and the Screen Print Workshop for Artists is back in full swing. Please stop through and help us print and build for our local and national exhibits of the Art Patch Project.

[madpalX]

@madpalX

GREAT update News! Uptown Multicultural Arts Center, with Chris Drew, Exec.Dir of this grassroots organization

is this Weekend featured, and silkscreening patches during Jul 29, 30 and 31 stop by, see Chris and the free speech movement Alive and Well! Original art t shirts and patches on site! come by! new video posted soon.

[madpalX]

Update on Chris Drew as he faces the fight of his life -- he was recently diagnosed with Lung Cancer, the trial is postpostponed during his treatments, scheduled for July 11, 2011:

Come out to support him, help distribute free patches and get an art patch!

front entrance of Artropolis, Merchandise Mart Sat 4/30/2011 12-7pm

May Day May 1, 2011, Sat Haymarket Square, Randolph and Desplaines event free 9-12 printing

May Day March and Rally - free workshop- join- Contact Chris 773-678-7545

[Seraturedalene]

Dear America,

I'm really happy that I'm not living there.

[TheZackandSteveShow]

@NOHOAXERS Please do not try to uphold the actions of a few pigs. The guy was selling art where HE wanted to sell his art and it was only $1 a piece. Nothing wrong with that at all.

[sef650]

And he's facing up to 15 years for recording a police officer. If you think you live in a free country, you're dreaming.

[elpollo992]

well damn might as well bring the whole police station.!-_-

[soOperWillyTron9000]

Lol

this is the first time where ill allow myself to say

" eff da police!!!"

[sosytai]

LIVE IN PHILIPPINES MY LOVE. DO EVERYTHING U WANT

[LuisDawsonW]

aaah... corruption are in all the world ¬¬

[xxsorrowdemonxx]

and this is why america is complete and utter bulltshit :/ proves government is tryign to take away our rights. he wasnt doing anything wrong.

[alen209]

Big brother is watching you.....

[mhalqungchristine14]

Cops was like No Dont Sell That Sell a Fucking Donut

[troopermyke99]

7 cops to arrest an old guy for art?? Wow they must feel good about that one..F

uck you CPD!!