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Anti-Rahm Community Activists Demonstrate In Loop

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Community activists, parents elected officials and others gathered in the Loop to voice a litany of complaints about Mayor Emanuel, and lay out their agenda for changing the city's direction, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

The demonstrators gathered outside the offices of Loop Capital management, which they say typifies Mayor Emanuel's rich supporters.

Rosemary Vega, a parent from the Lafayette Elementary School, one of 50 closed by Emanuel's administration, was emotional.

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"He says he cares for our kids and if this is care, I don't want to see hate from Rahm Emanuel," Vega said.

Amisha Patel, director of the Grass Roots Collaborative, says there is a progressive blueprint for improving the city but Emanuel is not following it.

"Mayor Emanuel could claw back TIF subsidies to the wealthy downtown developers, or fight for a tax on hedge funds and high-speed traders," Patel said. "He could support a graduated income tax at the state level."

Patel admits challenger Chuy Garcia isn't promising to adopt all of their ideas either, but she says he is willing to listen.

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