By Tisha Lewis, FOX 32 News reporter - bio | email
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Warnings of civil disobedience from opposition groups surfaced less than 24 hours after Chicago Public Schools announced the closure of 54 neighborhood schools.
"I think it's going to be more intense. I think there's a real anger out there in the community and people are going to do whatever it takes to stop these school closings… I think people are going to get arrested, I think there's talk of people trying to occupy their schools, who knows, we're going to do whatever it takes," said Erica Clark, an organizer for Parents for Teachers.
At the peak of Friday night's rush hour, Parents for Teachers, organized three simultaneous demonstrations, including one on the Madison Street overpass near the Kennedy and another at City Hall.
"We're out here for two reasons. First of all, we're trying to let people in the city here who might think they're not directly affected by these school closings, we want them to know that this affects us all… We want to see people across the city stand up, contact their elected officials and say this is wrong, this has to stop," said Clark.
In the meantime, Clark tells Fox 32's Tisha Lewis the group is just one of several preparing for Wednesday's big rally at Daley Plaza.
Friday night they handed out fliers after a morning of protests across the city.
"What's going to happen to my child when he comes to school next year and knows no one, he's going to shut down," said Yolanda Harris.
"Why do we have these TIFF funds in the city that can go to corporations and can go to businesses but they can't be going to schools," said Cassandre Creswell.
The opposition says the CPS closures target the most vulnerable students at schools starved of resources. The district disputes those accusations.
CPS says many of the students effected will ultimately attend higher performing schools and will have access to more resources. On Friday, many people downtown received a flier urging them to call the mayor and elected officials here and in Springfield.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:05:27 GMT
Former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has been appointed to head the board of a government-supported nonprofit that promotes Chicago as a tourism and convention destination.
Former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has been appointed to head the board of a government-supported nonprofit that promotes Chicago as a tourism and convention destination.
Monday, May 20 2013 2:53 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:53:52 GMT
An 87-year-old who alleges Donald Trump cheated her in a bait-and-switch has told jurors she had qualms about suing the developer-turned-TV star given his power and influence.
An 87-year-old woman who alleges Donald Trump cheated her in a bait-and-switch scheme has told jurors she had qualms about suing the developer-turned-TV star given his power and influence.
Monday, May 20 2013 2:53 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:53:43 GMT
Five people died and six others were taken to hospitals Monday after the van they were riding in left a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times, Illinois State Police said.
Five people died and six others were taken to hospitals Monday after the van they were riding in left a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times, Illinois State Police said.
Monday, May 20 2013 2:45 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:45:14 GMT
When Lindsay Carter heard on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, she gathered her belongings and fled. When she returned, there was little left.
When Lindsay Carter heard on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, she gathered her belongings and fled. When she returned, there was little left.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:39 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:39:06 GMT
Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close dozens of schools.
Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close dozens of schools.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:35 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:35:53 GMT
Transit officials said the first rush hour of CTA's five-month Red Line construction project went smoothly Friday morning. Mayor Emanuel also stopped by to thank commuters for taking the project in stride.
Transit officials said the first rush hour of CTA's five-month Red Line construction project went smoothly Friday morning. Mayor Emanuel also stopped by to thank commuters for taking the project in stride.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:42 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:42:49 GMT
Twelve people have been charged with misdemeanor offenses after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic on North Michigan Avenue and elsewhere on the Gold Coast.
Twelve people have been charged with misdemeanor offenses after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic on North Michigan Avenue and elsewhere on the Gold Coast.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:40 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:40:07 GMT
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:39 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:39:06 GMT
Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close dozens of schools.
Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close dozens of schools.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:37 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:37:06 GMT
On Friday, the current Chicago Teacher's Union President Karen Lewis announced that she has been re-elected and says she won with 80 percent of the vote.
On Friday, the current Chicago Teacher's Union President Karen Lewis announced that she has been re-elected and says she won with 80 percent of the vote.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 4:08 PM EDT2013-05-15 20:08:29 GMT
Attorneys for the Chicago Teachers Union filed several federal lawsuits Wednesday, arguing the closing of 53 elementary schools discriminates against African-American children and those with disabilities.
Attorneys for the Chicago Teachers Union filed several federal lawsuits Wednesday, arguing the closing of 53 elementary schools discriminates against African-American children and those with disabilities.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 3:52 PM EDT2013-05-15 19:52:48 GMT
A 32-year-old bus driver for a far north suburban school district has been charged with sexually assaulting a minor, though the victim was not a student who rode her bus, according to police.
A 32-year-old bus driver for a far north suburban school district has been charged with sexually assaulting a minor, though the victim was not a student who rode her bus, according to police.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 1:15 PM EDT2013-05-15 17:15:01 GMT
A former Maine West High School soccer coach has been charged with multiple misdemeanor counts involving the battery and hazing of players on his team.
A former Maine West High School soccer coach has been charged with multiple misdemeanor counts involving the battery and hazing of players on his team.
Monday, May 13 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-14 02:42:59 GMT
Karen Lewis has been talking for months about defeating Rahm Emanuel at the next mayoral election, but first she's fighting to keep her own job as president of the Chicago Teachers Union.
Karen Lewis has been talking for months about defeating Rahm Emanuel at the next mayoral election, but first she's fighting to keep her own job as president of the Chicago Teachers Union.
It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Lakeshore Learning's Ray Hernandez shared some last minute gifts designed by teachers available in Chicago, Orland Park and Palatine – all less than $20!
It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Lakeshore Learning's Ray Hernandez shared some last minute gifts designed by teachers available in Chicago, Orland Park and Palatine – all less than $20!
Loyola University will open a $60 million energy-efficient complex this summer, to house the "Institute of Environmental Sustainability," run by Nancy Tuchman. Students will train for green jobs of the future.
Loyola University will open a $60 million energy-efficient complex this summer, to house the "Institute of Environmental Sustainability," run by Nancy Tuchman. Students will train for green jobs of the future.
Thursday, February 28 2013 11:17 AM EST2013-02-28 16:17:45 GMT
First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign is making waves on the national level, so Good Day Chicago wanted to showcase a local school that is one of the healthiest in the city.
First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign is making waves on the national level, so Good Day Chicago wanted to showcase a local school that is one of the healthiest in the city.
