Occupy Chicago Protests Stem from Wall Street...

In a move that shouldn't surprise anyone, Occupy Wall Street protests have morphed into a grass-roots movement across the country, the latest of which is Occupy Chicago. Given the outstanding fall weather and continuing economic malaise engulfing the country, Chicago experienced not just one march (the earliest being in the morning in the Windy City's financial district) but several.

Coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the war in Afghanistan, protestors of Occupy Chicago heard speeches not just about economic problems but also wars abroad and other topics related to global issues (such as the Palestinian situation). Protestors marched to the Prudential Building, site of the Obama Reelection Campaign headquarters.

While the protests in Chicago were modest, reports the Chicago Tribune, who numbered the participants at about 700, clearly this is a sign of citizen frustration across the country. Protests in a number of other cities, as well as the continuing Wall Street action, is likely to continue. Although it's unlikely to provoke any real change in and of itself, the Occupy Chicago protests, like others, are giving leaders in this country a clear message. They are fed up.

Comments: 10

Chris Wiegard Oct 8, 2011, 5:58pm UTC

this was an unacceptable abuse of free speech, Christine. Free speech is just for Tea party, it is not for leftists who criticize the finance industry for plunging our nation into a deep recession. They can't say things like that, it's unamerican!

:)

Christine Zibas Oct 11, 2011, 4:29pm UTC

As Presidential Candidate #Cain would say, "Why don't these people just get a #job?"

Oh, yeah, 14 percent unemployment in my Illinois city.

reply to this comment

libramoon .. Oct 8, 2011, 6:51pm UTC

http://www.occupytogether.org/

Christine Zibas Oct 11, 2011, 4:56pm UTC

This #OccupyWallStreet and #OccupyChicago (and everywhere else) is the most hopeful thing I've seen in awhile.

Thanks for the link.

reply to this comment

Pat Bartels Oct 9, 2011, 7:09am UTC

And I guess the government has no part in the financial woes of this country. How is Wall Street responsible for companies who hire these fat cat CEOs who ruin their companies and then have contracts that allow them these ridiculous severance packages that drain more of a company's cash. Why don't more people protest about the wasteful spending of our tax dollars. That comes directly out of the pocket of each and every citizen of this country.

These protests seem to be misplacing their frustration. Get rid of wall street and what will you have? Complete government control of our lives, and then everyone will be without a job. Because government can't and won't take care of you.

Chris Wiegard Oct 11, 2011, 10:28pm UTC

"These protests seem to be misplacing their frustration. Get rid of wall street and what will you have?"

protesting Wall Street is not the same thing as advocating the destruction of Wall Street. It's simply a matter of criticism. It's saying that Capitalism has a responsibility to avoid improper behavior and greedy folly because we all depend on it for our survival. It's saying that we made a choice to go with Capitalism instead of Communism, and Capitalism turned around and betrayed us and threw us into a hole in the ground so that a few guys could walk away with hundreds of millions of dollars each. If I put it that way, Pat, how do you respond?

Pat Bartels Oct 12, 2011, 4:12am UTC

Chris, I say that government had as much to do with allowing this to happen. It isn't Wall Street as much as it's the big corporations and their boards of directors who have let these guys get away with way too much. Fannie and Freddie are chartered by Congress. Some say it's their mortgage practices condoned and supported by Congress that started our current financial condition. Congress knew there were problems with Fannie and Freddie yet they failed to act.

Government allows tax breaks to large corporations because of the way they are allowed to lobby Congress. I say get rid of the lobbyists. and Congress should get back to working for their constituents. Special interest groups shouldn't be allowed in government.

How about a government stimulus package that dumped our hard earned tax monies into the banks and automotive industry, or wasteful government spending when you and I have to tighten our belts to make ends meet.

reply to this comment

Brian T. Oct 9, 2011, 8:22am UTC

What get me is the lack of lending for small business expansion by the banks, the banks got a bail out and that money is staying right there it's not going to help small business which is the major employer in this country.

reply to this comment

Verie Sandborg Oct 9, 2011, 12:29pm UTC

I'm grateful to the protesters because someone needs to physically "comment" on the unfair edge given to Wall Street, and I just don't have the physical energy at this time to do so.

reply to this comment

David C. Oct 30, 2011, 11:06am UTC

Great post Christine. You also generated some interesting comments too.

reply to this comment

Occupy Chicago Protests Stem from Wall Street Action

3 people recommend this post

Comments: 10

Join the Conversation