Chicago supporters of an ongoing Wall Street demonstration in New York gathered early Tuesday for the 13th day outside the Federal Reserve Bank.
But Chicago Police asked the group, Occupy Chicago, to move its belongings off the side of the street to comply with local ordinances.
Still about a dozen local protesters remained at the bank, their home base. They said they plan to expand their occupation at locations across the city, including college campuses.
The movement stems from Occupy Wall Street, where protesters have camped out in a Lower Manhattan park since Sept. 17, has extended to about 180 cities worldwide, according to organizers, in the name of what they say is corporate greed.
"Essentially we're all sick of the fact there's a wealthy minority in this country, the wealthiest one percent, who gets to control what goes on in the political conversation, what goes on in the media," said one volunteer, Sam Abrahamson. "They get to drown out the voice of the other 99 percent just because they have more money."
Sam said he has seen many nods and smiles in the past week, even a few thumbs-up, coming from people walking out of the Chicago Board of Trade. On Tuesday morning, several people honked their horns in support.
Chicago organizers told NBCChicago last week they planned the local effort using Twitter. It started with about five to 10 people, said Daniel Oloroso, 22, and since then there has been a steadily increased turnout. One night, more than 100 people turned out, Oloroso said.
It's all in the name of getting out their message.
“Democracy has been hijacked by some very specific policies which empower corporations,” said Mark Banks, a participant who deals with media relations. “The movement represents the peaceful voice of the 99 percent Americans abused by the greed and unchecked excess of the one percent."
