Oct 21

Oct 21 Like a Hurricane

Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

“You are like a hurricane
There’s calm in your eye.
And I’m gettin’ blown away
To somewhere safer”

— You Are Like a Hurricane, Neil Young, from American Stars 'n Bars (1977)

Eleven days ago, Chicago’s Palestinian Community held its first demonstration following Hamas’ attack on Israeli civilians that resulted in over 1,400 deaths and somewhere around 200 kidnappings. Since then, the Palestinians have held four additional rallies.

The first demonstration brought 1,500 demonstrations into Chicago’s street. It might be characterized as a Category 1 hurricane moving northward toward the United States. Hurricane Palestine’s strength has increased exponentially, fueled by the increasingly warm waters heated by the growing conflict. Today, it reached Category 5 status, with over 10,000 people taking to Chicago’s streets.

The demonstration followed a now familiar pattern, beginning with a rally in the plaza adjacent to the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Welles Drive, followed by a march up Michigan Avenue to Wacker, and then a return trip to the starting point.

Of particular note:

Several speakers attacked the media for undercounting the number of demonstrators and for coverage that they claimed is pro-Israeli. First, and most importantly, everyone I have spoken with, including police officers, members of the media, and march participants, all agree that ascertaining anything approximating a realistic estimate is an extremely difficult exercise, particularly when undertaken from ground level.

When I have asked others for their estimates, the number tossed out is usually close to mine, but everyone prefaces the number with phrases like “give or take,” “my best guess,” or “who knows for sure?” There is one fact that everyone agrees on: each demonstration brings out more people, with the possible exception of last Wednesday night’s demonstration. It was large, but demonstrations weekday nights generally draw fewer people due to work and family commitments.

But if ‘faulty’ crowd estimates are the hill on which Chicago’s Palestinian Community wants to make its last stand, then the media has every right turn a mirror toward the podium. During today’s speeches, one speaker claimed that one demonstration brought out 100,000 people, and another speaker threw out 50,000. Both are absurd numbers. Both claims undercut the messaging coming from the podium.

Along those same lines, at least one speaker claimed that 500 people were killed ‘when Israel bombed the Al Alhi Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday. By today, most objective experts had concluded that: (i) the damage was caused by an errant rocket most likely launched by a Hamas-splinter group; (ii) the rocket hit a courtyard rather than the hospital directly; and (iii) the death toll was high, but nowhere near the 500 deaths initially reported. Yet, the speaker unequivocally held Israel responsible and repeated the discredited number.

As I’ve said before, many of the speeches at the Palestinian rallies are strident, offering far more heat than light. The Palestinians and their supporters have legitimate grievances and demands, but the speakers undercut the messaging when they make false claims. Stick to the facts, acknowledge that there is uncertainty about what is known, and use reason to support demands for change. Failure to do so only undercuts the effort by providing Israel’s supporters with the opportunity to highlight what is '‘fake’ news.

For me, the other notable incident came toward the end of the march, when I stopped to photograph a group of men praying on Michigan Avenue as thousands of marchers passed them by. A teenager who was probably 16 or 17 scolded me for photographing them, saying “You are breaking the spirit.” I took that to mean I was interrupting the men’s connection to God. I like to think of myself as projecting a powerful presence, but this teenager was ascribing far more power than I possess.

As a photographer, I have encountered numerous situations where people are engaged in prayer or other solemn acts—I have been present during Ukrainian church services, memorials for shooting victims in Highland Park, Illinois, and at the outdoor cremation pits lining the Ganges shoreline in Varanasi, India. Should I capture an image, or refrain from doing so?

Today, I had those same thoughts, but I chose to photograph because this was a very public and open display of faith. I turned to the teenager, and said, “These photographs will show these men as devout and peaceful. When I publish them, the images will inevitably lend support to the Palestinian cause.” From my perspective, I am simply documenting what transpired during this demonstration, but I do understand how the images will be interpreted.

The young man did not verbally respond, but his body language was clear. He got the message, and remained silent as I continued to photograph the men from a different angle.

Finally, as I headed north along Michigan Avenue on my way home, I noticed that many of the bus shelters and video advertising boards along the march route had been vandalized. it was most likely over-enthusiastic demonstrators who had spray-painted the glass and screens with words and slogans, such as “Gaza” and “Intifada,” as they passed by.

While the leadership at these demonstrations devotes considerable time to leading raucous chants to pump up the demonstrators—I have no problem with the leadership doing so—I do think the leadership has an obligation to tell those assemble to refrain from vandalizing public or private property. The leadership should also follow the example set by the Ukrainian Community: publicly thanking the Chicago Police Department for their considerable efforts in closing streets and keeping the demonstrators safe.

While the Palestinian Community certainly has a right to demonstrate, they have staged five major demonstrations over a 10-day period. Those demonstrations tax city resources, most likely generating lots of police overtime. Visibly, the City and the police have been quite accommodative. The Palestinian Community’s leadership should acknowledge the City’s efforts.

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