On the national day
of action in Chicago, Nov. 17, thousands marched in the streets. The
first rally, led by Stand Up Chicago, was held in front of the
Thompson Center. The rally grew in size as speakers from unions
across the city demanded jobs, not more cuts. The speakers closed
with a call for a march to the LaSalle Street Bridge, where 46 union
members were cited in an act of civil disobedience for shutting down
the bridge. While on the bridge, chants ranged from “We are
unstoppable, another world is possible!” to “What do we do when
the rich attack? Stand up fight back!”
After the union
members were cited, students, workers and immigrant youth marched
down to LaSalle and Jackson, the site of Occupy Chicago. The march
shut down traffic during rush hour in downtown Chicago, with throngs
of cars honking in support.
When the march
reached LaSalle and Jackson, the sidewalks filled with people.
Activists put up a banner in front of the Chicago Board of Trade that
read, “We are the 99 Percent.” People took to the intersection of
LaSalle and Jackson and blocked traffic again. Occupy Chicago along
with members of the community linked arms and surrounded the Chicago
Board of Trade. Those not linking arms formed a picket line.
The rally then marched to Occupy Chicago’s General Assembly on
Congress and Michigan, stopping in front of the union-busting
Congress Hotel chanting, “What’s disgusting? Union busting!”
The march then turned back toward the Thompson Center, taking to
Michigan Avenue and defying police orders to get on the sidewalk.
The march ended
with a short rally before Occupy Chicago’s GA at the Thompson Center.
