Anti-violence protest shuts down Dan Ryan Expressway

CHICAGO (Fox 32 News) Anti-violence protesters shut down a major interstate in the Chicago area on Saturday.

Thousands of people marched about 1.5 miles on the Dan Ryan Expressway (Interstate 94) to draw attention to gun violence. The expressway was closed for about 90 minutes.

The march was led by Rev. Michael Pfleger and supported by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who did not attend, and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who did.   

"Our youth are dying daily," said marcher Charles Reynolds. "I personally speak at funerals, four to six times a week. It must stop."

Janice Cannon has lost a child to gun violence. 

"I hope this march sends a message to everyone, to the boys in blue, and everyone else, the administration and legislature and our president," Cannon said. "We need to do something to keep our kids out of the cemeteries and the jails."

Many drivers were not happy. One, who only wanted to be identified as "Cindy," said, "This isn't helping anyone or anything. I'm not feeling good. I'm irritated right now because I got stuck in the middle of this."

No one was arrested at the protest.

The event did lead to some heated remarks on Twitter between Emanuel and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who called the action "unacceptable" and "chaos."
 
Emanuel responded: "It was a peaceful protest. Delete your account."