A group of protesters marched through the South Side Tuesday night to protest police oppression -- chanting swear words and disobeying officers attempting to keep them on the street.
The protesters initially gathered near South Halsted Street and West 50th Place and began marching about 6:40 p.m., growing to about 100 people as they weaved through the neighborhood.
The protesters marched north on Halsted Street -- often disobeying bicycle police orders to stay on the sidewalk – chanting "From Chicago to Greece, F--- the police."
As the protestors wove through the residential neighborhoods, many people left their porches to join the march or applauded in agreement.
"I'm glad they got a march because the police are crazy out here," area resident Andre Gholston, 46, said. "They come out here roughing us up … sending innocent people to jail."
The protesters – many young people dressed all black with bandanas across their faces covering all but their eyes – came from all over the country to show solidarity with victims of police abuse.
"This is a solidarity march for people who have been oppressed for years by the police," said a 21-year-old Florida man who asked not to be identified. He wore a pin that read "Occupy Rahm" and carried a flag representing the Anonymous movement.
Neighborhood resident Karrean Holmes, 41, was concerned the protest would agitate the gangs in the neighborhood.
"All you need is for someone to say they got an issue – because [the gangs] already got issues," Holmes said. "And then you can join in, sort of be low key because you are in a big group that doesn't identify you as a gang. It's going to get violent and we don't' need any more violence."
By 7:45 p.m., the protestors were near 35th Street and some restaurant owners closed up their windows as anxious diners looked outside.
One man started taunting the protesters by chanting "Free John Burge," a reference to the former Chicago Police commander convicted of torturing suspects for confessions.
Police reported no arrests as of 8 p.m., and CTA officials are rerouting the No. 8 Halsted bus in both directions around the protest.
