Tuesday, September 11, 2012

'Massive' Chicago teachers' rally planned for this afternoon - @nbcchicago

"Massive" Teacher Rally Planned Tuesday

Dick Johnson

Thousands of teachers rallied in downtown Chicago on Monday, the first day of the strike. This view is looking northwest from Clark and Monroe.

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"Finish It For Our Children:" Emanuel

"This is, in my view, a strike of choice, and it's the wrong choice for our children," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Monday of the first Chicago teachers strike in 25 years. "It's not necessary. We need to just finish the job."

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As the Chicago teacher strike entered its second day Tuesday, public school teachers planned its second mass march downtown.

The Chicago Teachers Union confirmed teachers and their supporters are expected to converge at 2:30 p.m. at the school district's headquarters, at 123 S. Clark St., before heading to the Chicago Board of Trade.

A "massive mobilization" is planned, the union said in a news released.

On Monday afternoon, thousands of CPS teachers rallied at the headquarters, closing streets and clogging downtown traffic. Along the way, they carried picket signs and chanted "Rahm Has to Go," referring to Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

"Rahm has three pensions," said one teacher who was marching downtown. "He was hanging out in Bruce Springsteen's dressing room Friday instead of helping find a solution."

Another group of several thousand people gathered in the vicinity of Clark and Adams, bound for Chicago City Hall, at 121 N. LaSalle Street.

One delegate said there were no specific march plans in place. They're simply waiting for an update from Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis with word that progress has been made.

"At least we show and feel strength and unity by doing this," said one teacher. "I don't get this in the classroom by myself all day."

About 29,000 teachers went on strike Monday after months of contentious negotiations over salary, health benefits and a new teacher evaluation process.

NBC Chicago has an array of reporters and producers covering the Chicago teacher strike. Check our live blog for continuous coverage and updates throughout the strike.

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