Chicago's First Official Animal Rights March Kicks Off In The Loop

CHICAGO (CBS)-- Chicago's first official Animal Rights March kicked off in The Loop Saturday afternoon.

The event featured speeches at Federal Plaza that began at 1 p.m. that were followed by an hour-long march through the Loop that ended at the Water Tower.

The goal of the march is to bring what the organizers call a voice to the voiceless.

Activists called on Chicago to ban the sale of fur and demanded an end to animal testing and slaughterhouses. Marchers also urged people to go vegan.

Event organizers said the march was expected to have over 1,000 attendees from the Midwest.

Organizers and speakers from the Milwaukee chapter for Anonymous for the Voiceless, The Humane League's Chicago Field and members of Chicago Roo Crew were in attendance.

Chicago Roo Crew recently helped rescue and re-home over 114 chickens seized from an alleged cockfighting ring.