occupy chicago

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Occupy Chicago drawing more protesters
Several hundred now gather near Federal Reserve Bank, organizers say
October 06, 2011|By Liam Ford, Tribune reporter

As their kindred spirits in New York City number in the thousands at Wall Street, those involved in the almost 2-week-old Occupy Chicago protest say they are seeing growing numbers coming out to oppose what they say is undue corporate influence in U.S. government policy.

Centering their efforts on the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, those taking part in Occupy Chicago include old-school liberals to Libertarians to the politically uncommitted, angry about government bailouts of corporations.

"We're here for justice — our sign says it all, and our sign says, 'Stop government crimes,'" said Chris Fogarty, as he stood with his wife, Mary O'Sullivan, on LaSalle Street. "And the other side says, 'Restore our laws.'"

Holding aloft signs such as "Wall Street needs adult supervision," "End the Federal Reserve" and "Democracy is Out Here, Not in There," several dozen protesters gathered Wednesday at Jackson Boulevard and LaSalle Street.

The protests have been running 24 hours since they started 13 days ago. When she joined the protests on their fourth day, Evelyn DeHais, 24 — now among the representatives for the organizers — said the number of protesters at the peak time grow from about 70 people to 300, then 400.

So far, Chicago Police report no arrests related to the protests.

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Re: occupy chicago

Occupy Chicago meets police resistance, vows to keep vigil
Occupy Chicago has been one of the largest spinoffs of the 19-day-old "Occupy Wall Street" movement


The Chicago offshoot of the anti-Wall Street protests in New York ran up against police resistance Wednesday and protesters dismantled their base outside this city's Federal Reserve Bank, but they vowed to maintain their presence on the corner indefinitely.

Occupy Chicago has been one of the largest spinoffs of the 19-day-old "Occupy Wall Street" movement, which stands against "greed and corruption" by the wealthiest 1 percent of the population.

Around the clock for nearly two weeks, dozens and sometimes hundreds of protesters have occupied a bustling corner here outside the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank and the Chicago Board of Trade, building a makeshift headquarters with food, medical supplies and a technology hub.

On Wednesday morning, Chicago Police alerted protesters they risked fines or arrest if they didn't move their supplies, protesters said. A city ordinance prohibits storing personal property in a public way, and carries a fine of $50 to $250 if broken.

"For the most part, [ the protesters ] have been compliant and cooperative," said Chicago Police spokeswoman Sarah Hamilton. But "they can't store supplies or sleep on the sidewalk."

Protesters moved seven carts of gear to a nearby church but vowed to remain outside the Federal Reserve Bank to protest. "That's their right," Hamilton said.

Evelyn DeHais, a 24-year-old freelance graphic artist and Occupy Chicago spokeswoman, said the group will obey the law but believes orders to suddenly enforce the restriction came from high in the chain of command.

"The police are trying to do their jobs," she said. "That 1 percent is getting more nervous about our presence here and they want us out."

A website called occupytogether.com shows there are "Occupy" movements in 291 cities world-wide, but some appear to have no active members. There are active Twitter feeds for movements under way or planned in at least 100 cities, universities or regions across the nation, including Las Vegas and Clarksville, Tenn.

On Wednesday morning, several people dressed in business attire stopped and chatted amicably with the protesters, whose dress was a bit less formal. One woman in a suit dropped off bottles of water, and a man carrying a briefcase handed off a bag of Kit Kat candy bars to a protester as he passed.

Roger Brownworth, an independent trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, said he was disappointed just 20 or so protesters were there at about 11 a.m. Wednesday.

<span style="font-weight: bold">&quot;It's a shame that's all Chicago can come up with. I mean look at New York, it's got thousands,&quot; he said. Though he liked their fire, he didn't agree with their message. &quot;I don't necessarily agree with them on corporate greed. Why is a company in business? To make money. Our problems are deeper than that.&quot;

Floors above, other workers in the Board of Trade had a message for the protesters, spelled out across four windows: &quot;We are the 1 percent.&quot;</span>

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Re: occupy chicago

play close attencion to da mainstream media versus farreeen media coverage



&quot;Occupy Chicago&quot; movement grows as Americans face mounting financial hardship

What started with four disgruntled citizens picketing outside the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago has expanded to a movement of 300 committed protestors, as the &quot;Occupy Chicago&quot; economic protests entered their 13th day on Wednesday.

As the growing numbers of demonstrators chanted and waved homemade posters, they were additionally met with supportive car horns and waves from the majority of Chicagoans driving through the now &quot;occupied&quot; corner of La Salle and Jackson streets downtown.

The Occupy Chicago movement says it represents &quot;99 percent&quot; of Americans that are subjugated to corporate interests in government, and participants are passionate to voice their grievances encountered in the current economic recession.

Chris Alvarez, who has been at the protests since day one, said that he was moved to participate both because of his own personal experience and shared compassion with others.

&quot;I come on behalf of the military veterans and their pensions got cut away due to medical discharges. I'm here in regards to my family, my father losing his job after 35 years and my mother losing hers after 20,&quot; Alvarez said, hoping that his efforts could perhaps influence national reform.

&quot;I couldn't finish school due to several loans that I owe, about 30,000 dollars in debt. I'm here for the country to change,&quot; he said.

Alvarez's financial situation is not unique among demonstrators.

Ally, another protestor, is also struggling with excessive student loan debt and says that her family lost her childhood home after her father had been laid off from work. He is now 60 years old and homeless, while her younger sister is currently too afraid to go to college due to fears of accumulating high debt - something Ally especially resents.

&quot;Education should not be a privilege for only the rich and the wealthy. Everyone in society should want people to have an education so that society can thrive and grow,&quot; she said in frustration, commenting on the reality now facing many college graduates.

&quot;How are we supposed to pay our student loan debt if we cannot get jobs in this economy?&quot;

Leaders of the Occupy Chicago movement estimate that they will be able to amass over 3,000 people this weekend at a protesting rally in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Afghanistan war. They added that the Chicago community has generally been very supportive of their cause, from inviting them to related demonstrations, to buying the tireless 24-hour participants meals as they stand firm on the street corner.

&quot;The community outreach is incredible and we couldn't hope for anything better, but we still have a lot more to do,&quot; said a smiling organizer as he returned to the picket line. &quot;(We'll be here) as long as it takes to make a change.&quot;

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