Thousands in Chicago protest financial industry

Mary Wisniewski and Ann Saphir Reuters 10/10/2011 15:26

Mounting anger over joblessness and income inequality snarled rush-hour traffic in downtown Chicago as thousands of teachers, religious leaders, union workers and other protesters marched on Monday.

Chanting "We are the 99 percent" and "Tax, tax, tax the rich," demonstrators marched on Michigan Avenue and gathered outside the Chicago Art Institute where a U.S. futures industry trade group was holding an evening cocktail reception.

Others marched outside a luxury hotel nearby where the American Mortgage Bankers Association was holding a meeting downtown, attracting a separate band of protesters.

Five separate "feeder marches" -- which converged into one giant march up Michigan Ave -- were inspired by, but not formally affiliated with, the Occupy Wall Street movement that began in New York last month.

Police estimated 3,000 protesters at the events organized by the "Stand Up Chicago" coalition, with the stated goal of reclaiming "our jobs, our homes and our schools," according to the group's website.

Police estimates of the crowds were not available yet. But if the coalition gets the numbers it expects, this would be the biggest Chicago protest since demonstrations focusing on economic inequality began in New York last month.

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