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.
