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Lake Shore Drive Reopens After Anti-Violence Protesters Shut It Down

Protesters have taken their anti-violence message to the North Side, shutting down Lake Shore Drive before eventually marching toward Wrigley Field. They are tired of the gang-related gun violence that has killed hundreds of people in recent years. They are demanding change, calling for the resignation of Mayor Emanuel and Police Supt. Eddie Johnson.

Update 7:15 p.m.

Chicago Police say about 150 protesters attended the Lake Shore Drive anti-violence march. They say it was a peaceful protest. No arrests were made.

Update 6:15 p.m.

Protesters are writing messages in chalk along the march route near Clark and Addison. Protesters of all ages are writing messages of positivity and anti-violence.

Update 5:45 p.m.

The march has reached Wrigley Field. Police are blocking the crowd at Clark and Addison and keeping them away from the front gates. The group kneels and begins to pray. After a short prayer the crowd chants, "We shall overcome! We shall overcome!"

Update 5:40 p.m.

Chicago police estimate about 150 people participated in the protest.

Update 5:35 p.m.

Roads closed around Wrigley and march makes its way toward the ballpark. Cubs play tonight at 7 p.m.

Update 5:20 p.m.

Marchers reach Broadway and Belmont. As the group moves onto Clark Street, they are beating drums and chanting "No Peace!"

Update 5:14 p.m.

CPD says Lake Shore Drive was closed for just over a half hour. There have been no arrests or any issues up to this point.

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Update 5:00 p.m.

Police have reopened Lake Shore Drive and the demonstration moves into the neighborhood. They are currently moving westbound on Belmont.

Update 4:50 p.m.

The demonstration is now moving off Lake Shore Drive and onto Belmont. The march is expected to head west on Belmont to Clark and then north on Clark to Addison, near Wrigley Field. Police are shutting down Belmont and diverting eastbound traffic southbound.

Update 4:45:

Protesters are chanting "16 shots and a cover-up"--referring to the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke, who has been charged with murder. The demonstrators have been on Lake Shore Drive for a longer period that originally planned.

Update 4:37 p.m.

Protesters on Lake Shore Drive

Update 4:35 p.m.

Other protesters, including anti-Trump and Pence demonstrators and members of the Communist Party, USA, were joining the march.

4:15 p.m.

The city of Chicago has shut down Lake Shore Drive for an anti-violence protest.

The protesters assembled at Belmont and inner Lake Shore Drive around 4 p.m.

The group of protesters are taking over a portion of Lake Shore Drive, shutting down northbound and southbound traffic.

The group congregated on the west side of Belmont Harbor and will proceed west on Belmont Avenue to Clark Street, then north to Addison Street. Police said the protest is supposed to disband nearly Wrigley Field.

Anti-violence protesters are demanding the Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Supt. Eddie Johnson resign.

Organizers of the march said they chose their route in order to make residents on Chicago's North side open their eyes to violence on Chicago's South side.

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