Anti-Nato Protest in Chicago - The Revolution Begins

Chicago braces for largest anti-NATO protest - Reuters

Thousands of protesters carried their anti-war message to world leaders at a NATO summit on a steamy Sunday, in a mostly peaceful march led by a group of Iraq War veterans who symbolically gave back their military medals.

During the march, a group of black-clad demonstrators darted toward police lines along the route, and some threw water bottles at officers who pushed back and yelled at them to move along, but there were no major incidents.

Police estimated the crowd at 2,500 to 3,000 people, although it appeared to be larger, in what was the biggest rally so far in the week leading up to the NATO summit. Among them was Chicago-based civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, who walked in summer-like heat with a few women bearing a sign reading "Afghans for Peace."

Riot police made a bigger show of force and watched the march closely than earlier in the week. They were also more open in displaying their equipment including body armor.

Pictures from RT, Occupy Wall St. and social media.

Reuters / Eric Thayer

via AlJazeera

via Occupy Wall St.

Photo by twitter user @NastiaChurkina

via twitter @AnjumKiani

via Occupy Wall St.

via Occupy Wall St.

via Occupy Wall St.

via Occupy Wall St.

via Occupy Wall St.

via Occupy Wall St.

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via Occupy Wall St.

U.S. military veterans in formation. Preparing to return their medals to NATO generals. Chicago, May 20. via Occupy Wall St.

Spencer Platt / Getty Images / AF

Reuters / Andrew Kelly

Woman among the #NATO protestors injured by police yesterday. Occupy Wall St.

Thousands on the streets now on Michigan Ave. in Chicago protesting against the #NATO Summit. via Occupy Wall St.

Veterans are leading the front of the march chanting "No NATO no WAR - We don't work for you no more"

Protester in Chicago 2012/5/19

4.17pm Chicago. Riot Police have surrounded protesters, veterans are throwing the medals away from Iraq - anarchist flags are flying, this is the start of the revolution. Occupy Wall St.



 Occupy Chicago : This was the scene on Montrose Avenue just moments ago before we arrived at Mayor 1%'s home, rallying to demand Healthcare NOT warfare! A large group is now meeting at Jackson & Lasalle to march to Daley Plaza in solidarity with the #NATO3, who are still in custody. Those marchers will converge with us for the Anticapitalista March at the Haymarket Monument, 175 N Desplaines, 630PM!

A demonstrator gestures during a protest before the start of a NATO summit in Chicago May 19, 2012

Scenes from downtown Chicago on the first day of major NATO protests. An intersection is shut down due to a sit-in

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