protest in Chicago blocks street

Tim Olk photo

protest in Chicago blocks street

Tim Olk photo

Excerpts from WLSTVChicago.com:

A protest in Chicago ended in several arrests as police leaders from around the world gathered Saturday at McCormick Place for an annual conference. Demonstrators are demanding racial justice.

Dozens of people were arrested as a result of the protests, most of them from a sit-in in the middle of the street. Their goal was to disrupt the largest gathering of public safety officials of its kind.

Several hundred protesters marched from Chicago Police headquarters at 35th and Michigan to McCormick Place Saturday afternoon, where the International Association of Chiefs of Police gathered this weekend. The conference is the largest of its kind nationwide, with over 14,000 public safety officers in attendance. The protest was organized by community organizations calling on police departments nationwide to change the way they engage with communities of color.

“What we’re looking for today is to have our voices heard, to show the coalition of voices, to show that black lives matter, to make our voices heard to this very powerful organization that sets policies,” said protester Maria Hadden. “We want less money for policing and more money for community services.”

A sit-in was also staged by another group, blocking the road at Cermak and Indiana. Police eventually arrested about a dozen protesters after police say they would not get up.

protest in Chicago blocks street

Tim Olk photo

protest in Chicago blocks street

Tim Olk photo

protest in Chicago blocks street

Tim Olk photo

protest in Chicago blocks street

Tim Olk photo

fireman uses a saw

Tim Olk photo

chain between protesters

Tim Olk photo

fireman uses a saw

Tim Olk photo

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