Visiting Occupy Chicago
I decided to check out Occupy Chicago on October 21 while I was in town. They didn't have an encampment site yet but around 200 were lined up along the sidewalk in the financial district. I heard the drumming from two city blocks away as I approached.
I could have used more cowbell.
They're under the shadow of the Chicago Board of Trade, which also appeared as Wayne Tower in Batman Begins. I heard a man in a suit ask a small group of occupiers why they were protesting him and his job.
The atmosphere was friendly. There appeared to be a non-stop soapbox session around the corner from the drummers. They had food and sign-making supplies free for the taking. This one was my favorite:
They marched to a spot in Grant Park for their General Assembly meeting. It was the most filmed and photographed walk down the street I've ever seen.
I had to leave before a rally planned for Saturday 10/22 in conjunction with their second attempt to establish a place to set up camp. Apparently, the city is responding with more arrests. I can't imagine what Mayor Emanuel hopes to gain by getting aggressive with a group that just wants to sit around and bang drums.