Chicago announced it would close 53 elementary schools to mitigate a $1 billion budget deficit. The protesters were demanding that the city walk back that plan.
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| A Chicago police officer takes several protesters into custody on Wednesday, during an act of civil disobedience during a march and demonstration of opponents to a plan to close 54 Chicago Public Schools. |
Hundreds of demonstrators, along with the Chicago Teachers Union, marched through the city today demanding that City Hall walk back its plan to close 53 elementary schools and one high school in response to a $1 billion budget deficit.
" 'People have a right to the neighborhoods in which they live,' [Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis] said. 'Children have the right to a safe, nurturing, loving environment.'
"During the sit-in, crowds of people on the sidewalk and on northbound LaSalle continued to wave signs and chant 'save our schools' as some of the crowd sat down. The sit-in, including the plan for potential arrests, was part of an itinerary put out by CTU before the rally began.
"Police soon began making arrests, leading more than 50 people away one by one to a holding area outside a building just south of Washington Street. Those in the holding area stood with their hands behind their backs chanting, 'Hey, hey, ho, ho, Rahm Emanuel's got to go.' "
