Now in its third week, Occupy Chicago protesters have set up shop at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Chicago Board of Trade.
A Tent City has been erected, much to the chagrin of bankers, and posters in the window reflected the elite’s sentiments, the signs read, “We Are the One Percent.”
All things came to a head over the weekend when a police sweep of the Tent City netted 175 arrests; the Occupy Chicago protestors allege that police stormed their Tent City following a peaceful march earlier that day, with the intent to shut the Tent City down.
Police say they were enforcing the 11 p.m. curfew, not impending on the protesters’ right to free speech.
Finally, Mayor Rahm Emanuel responded to protestor arrests via his Facebook status:
“The Chicago Police Department is communicating with protester reps so they understand what laws will be enforced and can avoid arrests. Since the protests began, each morning police met with the demonstrators to discuss the day’s activities.
“Regarding Saturday night, police gave a series of warnings that Grant Park closed at 11pm. Police officers waited approximately 90 minutes after the park was officially closed.
“When remaining members made it clear they were not going to leave in accordance with the ordinance, arrests were made. It is the obligation of police to enforce the law.
“Communications with protest organizers continue.”
Moments later, Facebook user Guy Zakrzewski responded: “We as Chicagoans are tired of being stomped on by corporations. We need this type of action so that the government inaction in DC discontinues. How ’bout the mayor begin using his prowess to urge members in Congress to stop the political bickering, instead of arresting unarmed, peaceful protesters?”
Here are a few shots of #OccupyChi from rolling out photographer Bernard Williams Jr.
