Protest against Republican tax reform bill erupts in Chicago

CHICAGO, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Anger over the narrowly passed Republican tax reform bill drew over a thousand people to protest in Lasalle Street in downtown Chicago on Monday, where clusters of banks, trusts, and other upper class Americans work.

Individuals of all ages and demographics marched from the Chicago Board of Trade to Federal Plaza, carrying signs and chanting for equality and for Republican senators to be held accountable. Chicago Police Officers escorted the demonstrators along their route as they peacefully protested.

"It's a political genocide," Beverley Kirks told Xinhua reporters. Kirks' sister, MJ Mohr, is just as disappointed in the nearly 500-page tax bill that makes significant cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, and provides large tax breaks for some of the wealthiest people in the country.

"I'm sick. I'm emotionally ill from everything that's happening with the government and I can't sit back anymore," said Mohr. "We have to do more. We can't just sit back. We can't stay asleep."

A protest at the Chicago Board of Trade earlier in the afternoon brought several healthcare and political activist groups and residents from across the city to voice their discontent.

Briana Gulley, a student from Indiana, also marched in the protest. "It obviously mistreats people of a lower socioeconomic class. It's so obviously unfair," she said.

Chicago has a history of protests against the current administration. Now many have fears over issues of immigration, healthcare and education, which are affected by the tax reform bill.

"They're giving a lot of breaks to the upper class and they're screwing over the working people," Rafael Solis told Xinhua. Solis, an immigrant who has lived in Chicago for 23 years, plans to continue protesting until he sees change.

Many Chicagoans see this tax reform as blatantly benefiting wealthy Americans. Even those who did not vote for U.S. President Donald Trump hoped he would keep his promises to help the middle class. Among those are Sue and Phil, long-time residents of Chicago.

"The tax bill is a betrayal of America. It's not acting in the common good," Sue said.

"It enriches the rich and subverts the under and middle class, who Trump said he was going to help, so it's a lie," her husband Phil added.

Protesters say they will continue to demonstrate against the tax reform bill in the coming months in the hope of making a change. Enditem