From Wall Street to Michigan Avenue

If you didn't make it to Tahrir Square, and if you can't get to London's Stock Exchange or the stone steps of Lisbon's capital or New York City's Zucotti Park, you can still participate in the international day of protest that is sweeping the globe today (October 15). While the protests, which are taking place in at least 900 cities across the world today,  have a different character in each place, they are all generally organized around the idea of the 99%. It's a simple but galvanizing notion--that people are fed up with economic and political systems that seem rigged to benefit the richest 1% at the expense of the 99%.

Occupy Chicago, the local manifestation of the leaderless Occupy Wall Street movement that started in New York City on September 17, is calling for supporters to join them today and tonight. Sleeping bags are optional, but protesters say the occupations will go on indefinitely. 

The loosely organized  "Occupy" movement has been endorsed by various groups and unions, but it is intentionally non-partisan--even apolitical--yet Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Jesse Jackson Jr. have both addressed Occupy Chicago crowds. 

The group's website calls for a rally at 6:30 tonight at the Fed (Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago at 230 South LaSalle Street), followed by a General Assembly at Congress and Michigan at about 7:15. Participants are urged to dress well and bring whatever you need if you plan to stay the night. For more information check the Facebook page, the Occupy Chicago site, the Occupy Wall Street site and the We are the 99% site.