
CHICAGO (CBS) — More than 50,000 people were expected to rally Saturday downtown for the Women’s March On Chicago – but how much more?
The initial expectation more than tripled when officials announced 250,000 people were in attendance for the march.
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An aerial view of the crowd participating in the Women’s March on Chicago (CBS/Chopper 2)
Around 10:30 a.m. organizers announced the group reached 150,000 and was the second largest women’s march outside of Washington.
And around 11:15 a.m. the city cancelled the march and organizers continued to rally in Grant Park.
Though some participants marched through the streets anyways.
READ MORE: Deandre Binion Charged With Shooting 22-Month-Old Kayden Swann In Lake Shore Drive Road Rage AttackBy 12:45 Chicago became the largest women’s march outside of Washington with an estimated attendance count of 250,000 people.
The event began with a rally at 10 a.m. Saturday on Columbus Drive between Jackson and Monroe. A march to Federal Plaza was then scheduled for 11:30 a.m. but was later cancelled due to the park reaching capacity.
Chicago Police said the rally was peaceful. Participants began clearing the streets around 1 p.m. Streets slowly reopened.
Organizers want to make it known that this was not an Anti-Trump rally. It was a march on rights, especially women’s rights.
Organizers said the women’s march is meant to show global support for women’s rights, human rights and social justice.
MORE NEWS: Inbound Eisenhower Shut Down In Bellwood Due To Police ActivityChicago’s march was just one of 250 scheduled around the world.