In the city's largest demonstration since Occupy Chicago began protesting Wall Street bankers three weeks ago, thousands marched through downtown streets and converged at the Art Institute to protest an expo of prominent bankers.
Many of those present were LGBT activists and teachers.
Protesters started at five different convergence points and flooded the streets, meeting at Michigan and Monroe where they were surrounded by a wall of police.
"We are the 99 percent," they shouted, as well as "banks get bailed out, we get sold out."
The march, which had been planned for months in anticipation of a bankers meeting at the Futures and Options expo, coincided with weeks of protest in Chicago that spread from the "Occupy Wall Street" movement in New York.
The march was orchestrated by local unions and activist groups that included Lakeview Action Coalition and Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
Marching bands blasted out upbeat tunes while protesters sang and danced in the streets. Hundreds of spectators crowded onto curbs to snap photos of the march. Above, one El conductor stopped her train over the protest and raised a fist in solidarity.
Dozens of LGBT activists were active in demonstration, although no single LGBT contingent or organization marched together.
A handful of members of LGBTQ direct-action organization Gender JUST appeared at the protest in Robin Hood costumes. Their group kayaked to the demonstration along the Chicago River.
Queer activists who attended the march said they felt the concerns of protesters were universal.
"Regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation, a lot of people are being impacted," said Jorge Valdivia, who identifies as gay. "We're marching side by side we people, and we don't know where they're coming from or how they identify."
One queer teacher who wished only to be identified as Phillipe said he was protesting because he spends $150 weekly on school supplies for his students because his school cannot provide materials.
"It's very frustrating," he said. "I'm hoping to see continual movement beyond here and that people don't fall back into their daily schedule."
The protest ended without major incident below the modern wing of the Art Institute. There, those attending the expo watched protesters from above.
Photos from the Oct. 10 march by Kate Sosin; pics from previous demonstrations by Ed Negron
