Protesters march throughout Chicago, disrupt Michigan Avenue traffic
CHICAGO (FOX 32 / AP) - On Wednesday, a group of protesters marched down one of Chicago's most well-known business districts and blocked traffic hours after Mayor Rahm Emanuel apologized for the 2014 death of a black teenager killed by a white officer.
"This is what Democracy looks like!" protesters yelled.
The group swelled to several hundred at one point, flooding downtown. Points of interest included Macy's and the Magnificent Mile.
There was some pushing and shoving with officers as the protesters tried to get onto Michigan Avenue, but eventually police let them through. The protesters then formed a circle in the middle of the road, blocking traffic.
Protesters then walked down the Mag Mile, stopping at intersections and disrupting motorists.
However, young leaders throughout the crowd told FOX 32 that they were working with police and talking over their next move.
"We are trying to build a relationship with them and trust. If you trust us, we trust you," protester Gregory Williams said.
"We are not saying we like the system, but at the same time he's been negotiating with us and we appreciate that," protester Iggy Flow said.
Wednesday's march is the latest in several weeks of protests following the release of video showing a white police officer shooting a black teenager 16 times in October 2014.
The video also led to the forced resignation of the city's police chief and multiple investigations, including a pending civil rights inquiry by the U.S. Justice Department.
Emanuel delivered an address Wednesday morning about the police department to a special City Council session.
The first of Wednesday's protests, by a group called the Coalition for a New Chicago, was planned for 8 a.m. inside City Hall.
Less than an hour later, a group of Christian clergy gathered at an entrance to the building.
On Thursday, a 5 p.m. rally is planned by the Chicago Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression.
At least four different groups planned protests throughout the day in and around Chicago's City Hall to draw attention to cases of alleged abuse by police officers. The groups are demanding that Mayor Rahm Emanuel resign, as well as Anita Alvarez.