Occupy Chicago teamed up with the Union for Radical Political Economics (URPE) to organize an “Occupy the American Economics Association” event at its annual meeting in Chicago, January 5-8. Economists streaming out of the conference hotel for lunch on the first full day of the conference were met by a large group holding signs such as “Economists — Complicit in the Financial Crisis,” “Occupy the AEA,” and “Danger! Capitalist Economists at Work!” as well as some street theater. Then, a spirited group of about 40 marched through the downtown, carrying a homemade banner poking fun at the concept of “trickle-down economics.” It showed a Very Important Man relieving himself over ordinary people standing below. An accusation from a Chicago police officer that the banner was blocking the sidewalk led to the arrest of one particularly active protester which provoked a loud outcry from the crowd.
The protest was followed by a teach-in at nearby Roosevelt University. Local CPE member (and Roosevelt University faculty member), June Lapidus, arranged for the teach-in rooms. CPE member and UMass-Amherst professor, Nancy Folbre, gave a short presentation on “the political economy of human capital” followed by a great discussion with the participants. CPEer Elaine Mccrate also joined in. The teach-in continued on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Occupy Chicago is hoping to develop an economics education and outreach program in greater Chicago, and Lapidus will be the CPE liaison there.
