CHICAGO, IL — Thousands of people flooded the streets and sidewalks around Republican President-elect Donald Trump's Chicago hotel Wednesday night as part of an "emergency protest" opposing the billionaire's victory over Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton. Eventually, though, the crowds began marching through the downtown area.

Police set up barricades and officers lined up in front of Trump International Hotel and Tower, 401 N. Wabash Ave., before the rally, which was set to begin at 5 p.m. But protesters got a jump on things, showing up across the street from the building about a half an hour early. They carried signs and chanted, "Shut it down!" and "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist U.S.A.!" After demonstrating in front of the hotel for about an hour and a half, the crowds spread to nearby streets. Online reports had protesters moving along to State and Randolph streets and 6th and Michigan avenues. Police did shut down State, the Wabash Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive. Some people also decided to sit in the middle of the street, cheering and chanting, "Not My President!"

Protesters eventually marched down Lake Shore Drive to Grand Avenue, stopping traffic: Despite the event encompassing a larger area than originally planned, the protest reamined under control. A few demonstrators did climb on top of traffic signal poles and a bus shelter. One bus shelter also was vandalized with "F--k Trump" scrawled in red across a window.

A protester climbs a traffic light pole in downtown Chicago on Wednesday, Nov. 9, during anti-Donald Trump protest. (photo by Patrick Martin) At times, the event was more party than protest as some demonstrators brought audio equipment and began literally dancing in the streets at times. The music also defused a few tense moments between protesters and police. The demonstration began to wind down at about 10:15 p.m., but there were still large groups of protesters on the street.

The protest was organized by ANSWER Chicago, an antiwar and anti-racism group (ANSWER stands for Act Now Stop War End Racism). Before the rally began, more than 9,000 people indicated on the demonstration's Facebook page they planned to attend the protest.