Always contentious hearings on whether to close failing Chicago schools have taken a bizarre twist this year with charges that cash-strapped residents were hired as "rent-a-protesters" and given pre-made signs and pre-crafted scripts to support school shakeups.HOPE also bused protesters in.
Two men told the Chicago Sun-Times they showed up to apply for financial help with their energy bills at the Englewood office of the HOPE Organization headed by Rev. Roosevelt Watkins III, only to be offered money to attend school-related "rallies" held Jan. 6. Watkins denies they were paid to protest, saying money paid was for training.
Both protesters said they didn’t realize until the last minute that they were supposed to support school closings. One said he was promised $50 to speak at a rally "for schools," but was stiffed $25 after Watkins complained he had publicly revealed at the hearing he was "compensated" for speaking.
In today's Sun-Times, other ministers said that paying prosters is not a common occurence in Chicago.
I have my doubts.
Video: OccupyChicago protester is a paid volunteer, UPDATED
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