Yes, people are getting arrested for civil disobedience. But, there has not been violence. The organizers of the protests have been working with the cops. I think it's a good thing. Yes, they are preparing for G8.
Here is an interesting article about it:
November 17, 2011. Chicago. On the two month anniversary of the start of the Occupy Wall Street protest movement, marches were scheduled in every major city in America. The day was billed as the national ‘Day of Action’. The timing also takes advantage of the nationwide outrage among the 99 percenters because of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s midnight eviction of the Occupy movement’s base camp in New York. Here in Chicago, things couldn’t have gone more smoothly.
Unlike cities like New York, Oakland and Seattle, there were no violent attacks by police on peaceful protesters. Instead, the entire 45 minute episode appeared almost scripted. That’s probably because it was.
According to various sources, both Occupy Chicago activists and Chicago Police officials were aware the march would culminate in a sit-down strike, blocking the LaSalle Street bridge downtown. Meetings just prior to the confrontation between the two sides let both sides know what to expect and what they would and wouldn’t tolerate.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Occupy anniversary goes smoothly in Chicago - Chicago Independent | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/independent-in-chicago/occupy-anniversary-goes-smoothly-chicago#ixzz1eCZ3KRwSThe article above explains step by step how the protest went. It made headlines in the news. Over a thousand protested. As much as people hate Rahm, I believe he is doing a great job making sure people are safe in OWS. (I know his policies regarding unions and public health are bad. But, he is doing well with the protests.)