Photos: Hundreds Of Protestors Call For Rahm And Anita Alvarez To Resign

By aaroncynic in News on Dec 9, 2015 7:25PM

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of the Loop following Mayor Rahm Emanuel's "healing" speech to the City Council Wednesday morning.

They marched to downtown landmarks such as City Hall, Chicago Board Options Exchange, the Christkindlmarket and the Chicago Board of Trade buildingshut down several intersections, chanting phrases like "Shut down the money, shut down the politics," "16 shots, 13 months," and "Justice! Resources!"

Frustrated by the city's response to the tragic shooting of Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer, the "citywide walkout" is continuing recent calls for Emanuel and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez to resign.

Community activist Rousemary Vega, who helped organize the walkout, said in an interview with Chicagoist just before demonstrators began to march that she found the mayor's words lacked substance:

"Rahm Emanuel fills his mouth up with accountability, with the words 'I'm going to be accountable, I'll take responsibility,' but to what does he hold those words to? What does he mean when he says "he takes responsibility. He refuses to resign, to listen to the people or admit he had something to do with the cover-up."

At this moment there are no words, no apologies, or anything he can do to make the city not hurt, to make this city not angry. We've seen a child murdered - shot 16 times. We see how the mayor manipulated that to win elections. For him to make it right on his part...Getting Rahm out won't mean our work is done. But it's a start, and it would say he has morality and he does choose people and justice over his self-centered persona."

At least twice, individual demonstrators were detained during heated moments on the street during the march. One was even put in a police truck, but released shortly after being detained.

About 200 protesters gathered outside the City Council chambers in City Hall during Emanuel's speech and demanded to be let inside before taking to the streets Wednesday afternoon.