Chicago protest: 'Count Every Vote' group marches through Loop calling on Trump to concede 2020 election; no arrests made

Protests in New York, Portland turn violent

ByCate Cauguiran and ABC7 Chicago Digital Team , Jesse Kirsch WLS logo
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Chicago protest marches through Loop, demanding Election 2020 votes be counted
Hundreds marched peacefully through the Loop, demanding votes be counted while rallies in other cities turned violence.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The fight over the presidential election results sparked a march in downtown Chicago Wednesday night as people demanded all votes be counted.

Hundreds gathered in Chicago's Daley Plaza before marching throughout the Loop, demanding to continue the nationwide ballot count.

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Protestors marched through downtown Chicago Wednesday night calling on President Trump to concede the 2020 election.

The group was seen carrying large banners that read ""Count Every Vote" and "Out Now!" as they marched north on Michigan Avenue.

"From Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, Detroit to Atlanta: ballots still need to be counted," said Erica Bland-Durosinmi, executive vice president of SEIU Health Care Illinois.

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Demonstrators expressed their unified anger towards President Trump's remarks early Wednesday morning, when he called for all "voting to stop," claiming Democrats would use mail-in ballots to "steal the election."

"This is America and we need to save our democracy," said Andy Sturges. "That's why I'm here."

City officials raised the Wabash Avenue bridge Tuesday evening in a preemptive move to ward off election-night unrest near Trump Tower.

The city has shut down the Wabash Avenue bridge near Trump Tower for election night "as part of a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of residents."

The bridge over Wabash Avenue was raised again Wednesday evening as protesters marched through the downtown area. Police lined up across other bridges along Wacker Avenue to prevent the group from crossing the Chicago River.

The bridge will be "out of service until further notice as part of a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of residents,' said Mary May, spokeswoman for the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

The strategy was employed multiple times this summer in attempts to keep the downtown area safe from looting during protests against police brutality and violence.

Chicago police said no arrests were made during the protests Wednesday night.

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Meanwhile, from New York to California, thousands of demonstrators turned out, demanding that every vote be counted.

In Manhattan, hundreds of protesters took to the streets, with some setting fires and clashing with police and several people were arrested.

In Portland, Oregon, the governor called out the National Guard after demonstrators engaged in widespread violence downtown, including smashing windows.

Protesters are angry about a range of issues, including police brutality and the counting of the vote.