Biography
Jared "Jay" Chase was one of the "NATO 3," anarchists arrested before the 2012 NATO summit in Chicago in what was the first use of Illinois state terrorism charges. A jury acquitted the three of terrorism, convicting them only of mob action and possession of an incendiary device. Diagnosed with Huntington's disease in 2013, Chase served the longest term of the three and was released in November 2020.
Jared “Jay” Chase became known through protests connected to the 2012 NATO summit in Chicago and his involvement in broader anti-capitalist organizing (including connections reported to Occupy Wall Street circles). He was arrested ahead of the summit in a case built around undercover policing and allegations that a small group intended to carry out violent attacks during the protests.
Prosecutors pursued terrorism-related charges, but at trial those allegations did not result in terrorism convictions. Chase and co-defendants were instead convicted on lesser counts that centered on possession of incendiary devices and protest-related offenses, leading to a multi-year prison sentence. Subsequent reporting has also highlighted his incarceration while living with Huntington’s disease, and additional punishment imposed for an in-custody assault incident.
