All in Protest
On November 19, 2024, Chicago’s Ukrainian Community commemorated the 1,000th day since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion against Ukraine on February 24, 2024. Community members gathered in the plaza outside the Wrigley Building for speeches and anthems, and then they marched north on Michigan Avenue to Jane Byrne Plaza (the location of Chicago’s historic Water Tower). Here are my thoughts about and images from this stirring rally and march.
Members of the Russian opposition to Vladimir Putin gathered in the plaza outside the Wrigley Building on November 17, 2024, taking part in a worldwide demonstration against Putin’s war in Ukraine. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally.
Today, members of Russian’s émigré community, commemorated those who were killed by Joseph Stalin during the Great Purge/Great Terror (1936-38). Known as the Return of Names, this annual commemoration is particularly relevant to Americans this year, as presidential candidate Donald J. Trump, tosses the phrase “The Enemy Within” around during his speeches. Here are my thoughts about and images from this small, but important ceremony.
Chicago’s Ukrainian Community staged a demonstration in Lincoln Park, demanding that Russia release the Azovstal Defenders who are currently imprisoned. Not surprisingly, the U.S. Presidential Election cast a long and dark shadow over the event. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, students at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago held a demonstration, demanding that the Art Institute cut its ties with the Crown Family because the family still holds a significant interest in General Dynamics, a manufacturer of bombs used by the Israeli Defense Forces in the war against Hamas. Here are my thoughts about and images from the spirited demonstration.
On Columbus Day, former President spoke to the Economics Club of Chicago at the Fairmont Hotel. Chicago’s pro-Palestinian forces held a press conference outside the hotel, which drew more media than that 10 to 15 demonstrators who were present. Here are my thoughts about and images from the press conference and demonstration.
Sometime on or shortly before Columbus Day 2024, vandals attacked a beloved statue of Lincoln in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, trying to draw a connection between Native Americans (United States) and Palestinians (Israel). Here are my thoughts about the attack and images depicting its aftermath.
The group, If Not Now, held a memorial service for those Israelis and Palestinians who were killed during the last year as a consequence of the attack by Hamas on October 7th and the subsequent Israeli military response. Here are my thoughts about and images from the memorial.
DePaul University students gathered just to the east of the Fullerton Avenue Quad today for a memorial to those who have died in Gaza and Lebanon since the October 7th attack by Hamas against Israelis. Here are my thoughts about and images from the memorial service and subsequent march.
On Sunday morning, October 6, the Chicago Jewish Alliance held a march and rally to remember those who died during the last year's October 7th attack by Hamas against Israel. The group also focused on the those who still are held as hostage. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally.
Chicago's Palestinian Community marked the first anniversary of the October 7th attack by Hamas with a demonstration at Jane Byrne Plaza, followed by a march northward that saw the demonstrators pass nearby Governor JB Pritzker's Gold Coast home. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.
On the first day of iPhone 16 availability, I attended a demonstration outside the Michigan Avenue Apple Store. The demonstrators were calling out Apple for not sufficiently policing the mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that produce the cobalt used in lithium batteries. Here are my thoughts and images from the demonstration.
Late Thursday afternoon, the heritage Palestinians held a demonstration in Chicago's Federal Plaza. Several demonstrators held "AbandonHarris" signs. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
DePaul University students held a rally and march late Thursday afternoon to protest Israel's continued military action in Gaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.
On my way to the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival, I encountered the annual procession honoring Hussain ibn Ali, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson who died a martyr. Here are my thoughts about and images from what is known as the Arbaeen Procession.
On Saturday, Chicago's Ukrainian Community celebrated Ukrainian Independence Day outside the Ukrainian Cultural Center. The war dead were honored, several community leaders spoke, and Ukrainian tweens reprised last year's K-pop performance. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day's celebration.
Finally, the last day of the Democratic National Convention has arrived. Everyone is exhausted. Here are my thoughts about and images from the second and final March on The DNC 2024.
The Palestinian Community held a rally and march today in Union Park. I also stopped by the location near the United Center where the Chicago Firefighters Union is protesting the lack of a contract. Earlier, I stopped by the DemPALOOZA at McCormick Place. Here are my thoughts about and photographs about all of that, and more.
The second night of the 2024 Democratic Convention saw the most violence arrests. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from a night of chaos, as well as photograpahs from two other peaceful demonstrations during the day.
On the first day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, I attended a rally and march in Chicago's Union Park that was sponsored by a coalition of left-wing and Progressive groups. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
