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"This is What Democracy Looks Like" Redux

By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 16, 2011 2:00PM

Thousands took to the streets last night to march with the Occupy Chicago movement from the Federal Reserve Building to Grant Park. From there, a tent city was set up in the park at East Congress Parkway and South Michigan Avenue with the intent of continuing their protests against corporate abuse.

Civil disobedience had to be an intent, since Chicago parks officially close at 11 p.m. Shortly after 11, the arrests began. 175 protesters were arrested and charged with civil disobedience. Protesters that weren't arrested marched to the Police Department district station at 18th and State to express their solidarity with those arrested.

Last night's march and tent city arrests were merely a part of Occupy solidarity protests around the world. Thousands of Occupy Wall Street protesters marched from Washington Square Park to Times Square, mixing in with tourists and workers to create a chaotic scene almost reminiscent of New Year's Eve. An Occupy protest in Rome became violent.