Washington, Oct 17 (IANS/EFE): Hundreds of people were arrested at protests against corporate greed in cities across the US, police said Sunday.

About 175 people were arrested early Sunday in Chicago, where a march was held around Grant Park.

"The whole world is watching", protesters chanted as they marched, referring to the demonstrations against the Vietnam War that took place in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

At least 24 people were arrested Saturday in Denver, while dozens were detained in Phoenix and Tucson, the press reported.

Police in New York City, meanwhile, arrested at least 74 people during the Occupy Wall Street protest in Times Square, police spokesmen told EFE.

More than 5,000 people took to the streets of New York Saturday as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement's effort to draw attention to corporate greed, income inequality and the excesses of the financial services industry in the United States.

Thousands of people participated in similar protests in cities around the world, urging their fellow citizens to rally against politicians and the power of bankers.