My office building is on LaSalle right across from City Hall. I heard a lot of cheers and chanting, and THEN I heard the distinct sounds of a marching band.
At the sound of something sounding suspiciously like Party Rock, I decided to leave my little cubby and look out the window.
The street was full of teachers in red t-shirts. Marching, chanting, holding signs. They looked great from the 20th floor, and all the streets were shut down, giving them lots of room, but there were so many people I couldn't see street or sidewalk--just teachers!
So I headed downstairs. Up close, they looked even better. I know they were up early manning the school picket lines, but they were full of energy. I especially loved the group playing ukeleles.
They were very organized. There were people with paper forms you could fill out to write a note to the mayor in support of the union. One guy held the blank forms, another had the markers to write with, a third had masking tape so you could tape it to the lampost in front of City Hall. Lots of non-teachers were filling them out.
The City Hall police were just sort of standing around. I told one "Better back the teachers. Your contract will be next" He nodded and said "We know that. And my wife's a teacher."
Go CTU!!! Better Learning & Working Conditions teachers AND their students!!