September 23
This picture sums up the mood of the day, taken around the start of the first Chicago General Assembly.
#occupychi started at 9:00 a.m. September 23rd with three protesters at Willis (formerly Sears) Tower.
Tower Security moved the group several times during the first hour.
They were pleasant enough
but a permanent part of the background.
They finally settled protesters here.
And the wait began for people to gather for the 12:00 p.m. march.
Some came with ready-made signs
and some made them while passing the time.
The police were ever-present
and interacted with the group with no trouble.
Though when it started to rain, they were a bit more distant.
The rain isn't holding these enthusiastic protesters back!
At noon, Lee "Meow" read Lupe Fiasco's "Money Man" and the march toward the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago began.
This nearly brought me to tears. U.S. PV1 Timothy Carsons just returned from a tour overseas and is living out of his backpack. He can't find work and can still be deployed. He says he picked up a weapon "so people could gather and make their opinions be known." Timothy Carsons: recently returned vet and homeless. He is the 99%
Each march led to an increase in numbers.
Protesters line up along their new home for the week: the Federal Reserve Bank.
Protesters rest before the next march down Michigan avenue and around the Loop.
Emotions were strong.
Always the marching continued.
Numbers continued to increase
including the police presence.
Around 35 protesters attended the first Chicago General Assembly - a weekday launch with a mere two day notice - a number that increased to an estimated 100 on the day of posting, September 29. 285.7% increase in a week?
