Police Arrest 21 Protesters for Trespassing
By Chris Bentley in News on Oct 12, 2011 3:40PM
Police arrested 21 protesters for trespassing Tuesday, as grassroots demonstrations against economic inequality continue to gain momentum in Chicago and around the U.S.
Sixteen people were arrested at the Hyatt Regency hotel where the annual Mortgage Bankers Association conference was underway. Demonstrators staged sit-ins and disrupted traffic to protest high housing loan fees and interest rates, as well as corporate tax loopholes.
Police also arrested five women, aged 55 to 80, after they dumped bags of trash in a Bank of America downtown. They said Bank of America is in violation of the Vacant Property Ordinance, which makes lenders and servicers responsible for the upkeep and safety of abandoned properties they have a legal interest in. The trash, which included a sofa labeled “Property of Bank of America” was from a foreclosed home at 3328 W. Monroe St.
Tuesday’s arrests follow a march Monday that drew thousands to the Art Institute. Organized by Stand Up Chicago, the demonstration drew support from Occupy Chicago, who have protested in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street against corporate greed and economic injustice for nearly three weeks.