Tom Morello says that his performance at the National Nurses United rally in Chicago will take place as originally planned, despite efforts by city officials to relocate the demonstration.
It was reported earlier this week that the city had decided to pull the permit for the event and force it to move to a less centrally-located venue after Morello's performance was added to the schedule. In a letter to the event's organizers, city officials had said the move was necessary to accommodate changes to the event, including a far greater number of attendees.
"Chicago is my hometown and the mayor is making me feel mighty unwelcome," the guitarist told Rolling Stone on Tuesday. "If Rahm Emanuel is so afraid of my popularity in Chicago maybe I should run against him in the next election."
Having reached an agreement with the city yesterday, the nurses union will now be allowed to hold the rally, as planned, on May 18th at Chicago's Daley Plaza, during the NATO summit.
"The Mayor's office and NATO backed down because we stood up,” Morello said in a statement. “This is a great victory for the nurses union, the people of Chicago, free speech and rock n' roll. Of course we're not a security threat to downtown Chicago, but we proudly remain a threat to the monied interests who failed to stifle us."
