An estimated 4,500 protesters gathered again at Federal Plaza carrying signs and chanting, “Peace Now” before they circle through the Loop and returned to the plaza.
Officers made good on their promise not to allow a repeat of the trouble that ensued Thursday when more than 5,000 demonstrators shut down Lake Shore Drive and clogged several streets in the Loop and Near North Side. Police arrested 543 people on charges of reckless conduct and mob action.
Police Department spokesman Pat Camden said only two people were arrested today on charges of reckless conduct before the start of what observers described as an orderly procession.
The police department approved a march through city streets on a route that circled the Loop and returned to the plaza. The street march began at 6:15 p.m. and ended about two hours later.
Officers walked in front of protesters and flanked them on both sides to speed up the march and to keep protesters from straying from the route, said Chicago Police special events coordinator Dave Dougherty.
In anticipation of arrests, the Cook County Sheriff’s Department dispatched six buses to the scene.
Connie Spreen of Chicago said she and her husband chose to take their two children, ages six and eight, to the rally because “we feel very strongly that this is a lesson in democracy.” Spreen said police officers gave her children candy bars on their way into the plaza.
Not everyone praised the department’s efforts. Several protesters used bullhorns to complain about officers’ handling of Thursday’s protest.
Protest organizers said they plan to stage another rally at the plaza at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
