It’s official: the Chicago Teachers Union is on strike.
That was clear Monday morning when clusters of teachers, parents and students held signs while marching in front of schools. At some schools, they were chanting for what they called a fair contract. The cars that whizzed reflected the varying opinions Chicagoans have about the strike. Most cars blared their horns in support, there were a couple of thumbs down and even the occasional middle finger.
[Photos by Jonathan Gibby and Lucio Villa]
Teachers pick up picketing signs and other materials from the Chicago Teachers Union strike headquarters on the morning of Sept.10, 2012. Talks broke down on the final day of negotiations between the CTU and the district, sparking the city's first teachers strike in 25 years. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
South Loop Elementary School student, Jordan Anders, 6, stands with protesters. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
Demonstrators protest in front of John Marshall Metropolitan High School during the first day of the Chicago Teachers Union Strike on Sept. 10, 2012. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
Two youths walk past a line of protesters shouting in front of John Marshall Metropolitan High School during the first day of the Chicago Teachers Union Strike on Sept. 10, 2012. With 26,000 teachers not attending work, many were left worrying about what would happen to the students. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
A parent walks her child away from school after realizing school was shut down due to the Chicago Teacher Union's strike. Photo by Lucio Villa.
Teachers strike outside John Marshall High School on Sept. 10. More than 26,000 teachers are on strike outside their perspective school throughout the city of Chicago leaving hundreds of thousands of students with no class. Photo by Lucio Villa.
Teachers from the South Loop Elementary School prepare their signs to picket outside the school during the CTU strike happening throughout the city of Chicago. Photo by Lucio Villa.
Supporters congregate at the CTU Strike Headquarters in preparation of the first day of the city wide strike, which includes 26,000 teachers. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
Traffic passes the protest in front of John Marshall Metropolitan High School. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
A demonstrator raises her first while marching with the others in support of the CTU Strike on Sept. 10, 2012. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
Members of the Chicago Police Department use vehicles to close streets for protesters to march. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
Thousands of CTU supporters rally in front of Chicago Public Schools headquarters. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
Demonstrators dance down Clark Street in front of the Chicago Public Schools headquarters in support of the CTU strike. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
Thousands gather at the Chicago Public Schools headquarters last week before marching to City Hall. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
Demonstrators march down Adams Street in support of the CTU strike. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
Dan Hensley argues with demonstrators during a rally to support the CTU strike. Hensley believes that teachers are taking classes away from students and wasting the time of the parents and students alike. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
Protesters picket in front of the Chicago Public Schools headquarters before a march to support the CTU strike. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
A supporter of the CTU strike is seen through the window of the Chicago Public Schools headquarters. Photo by Jonathan Gibby.
Photo by Jonathan Gibby
Thousands of demonstrators march toward City Hall during a protest to support the Chicago Teachers Union strike on Sept. 10, 2012.