Thousands of concerned Chicagoans converged on Daley Plaza Wednesday afternoon to protest one of the largest waves of school closings in US history. The demonstrations were called for by the Chicago Teachers Union and the Grassroots Education Movement. (Photo below by sierraromeo / Flickr / Creative Commons)
Following the inital rally, protesters were led in a march around City Hall by CTU President Karen Lewis, Rev. Jesse Jackson and U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL). (Photo below by sierraromeo / Flickr / Creative Commons)
The CTU hosted two "Citywide Non-Violent Civil Disobedience Trainings" on March 16 and 17 to prepare individuals for this Wednesday's protests. CTU supporters are shown here marching under a banner for Little Village Lawndale High School in Chicago's South Lawndale neighborhood. (Photo below courtesy of Jane Huh)
CPS last month released a list of 129 schools being considered for possible closure. Among them was Mahalia Jackson Elementary School, 75% of whose students are low-income and 98% of whom are black. (Photo below by sierraromeo / Flickr / Creative Commons)
Members of Kelly High's marching band spurred the crowd on Wednesday afternoon. Though Kelly High School is safe from closure, one student nonetheless told the Chicago Tribune, "I think it's our responsibility to stick up for these younger students and defend the schools we went to." (Photo below by sierraromeo / Flickr / Creative Commons)
Roughly 150 protesters blocked LaSalle Street's southbound traffic outside City Hall. (Photo below by sierraromeo / Flickr / Creative Commons)
(Photo below by sierraromeo / Flickr / Creative Commons)
Ultimately 127 people were detained and ticketed by Chicago police following a mass sit-in along LaSalle Street right outside City Hall. (Photo below by sierraromeo / Flickr / Creative Commons)
An anonymous demonstrator poses for a photo, her hands cupped together to form the figure of a heart. (Photo below by sierraromeo / Flickr / Creative Commons)
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Anthony Mangini is an editorial intern at In These Times. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree from New York University. He currently resides in Chicago.
