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.
All in Street
DNC Dispatch 6
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.
DNC Dispatch 5
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.
DNC Dispatch 3
On Sunday, August 18, 2024, a coalition of groups rallied and demonstrated before the first day of the 2024 Democratic Convention under the Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws moniker. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.
GAYestinian Pride
Today, Chicago’s LGBQT+ Community staged the 54th Annual Gay Pride Parade. In keeping with my activity over the last nine months, I decided to focus on the pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had obtained a coveted slot in the parade’s abbreviated lineup. It was the right decision, because it permitted me to photograph their efforts, as well as the colorful characters lining the parade route, as I walked the route with the pro-Palestinian forces from the start to the finish line.
Duck Derby
The Money Shot. My thoughts about and images from the Duck Derby
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is celebrated with speeches, wreath-laying ceremonies, and parades, but it is about a lot more. The memories can be painful. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from today’s Memorial Day celebrations in the City of Chicago.
The Assyrians
A small group of Assyrians demonstrated in Federal Plaza on May 19, 2023, asking the United States government for assistance in reclaiming their homelands. Unfortunately, the demonstrations was largely ineffective in advancing their cause. Here are my thoughts on the Assyrian cause, as well as on how they can improve the effectiveness of future efforts. Of course, I have included my images from the demonstration.
Navalny
Earlier today, I attended a rally on Michigan Avenue in support of imprisoned dissident Alexei Navalny, imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and other political prisoners. Here are my thought about and images from this inspiring demonstration.
Columbus Day
I stop to photograph this year’s Columbus Day Parade on my way to my annual physical. The parade is a shadow of the one staged for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; although the film did not identify the parade as the Columbus Day Parade. I ended up racing around so much that the doctor had to wait 20 minutes before taking my blood pressure because I was dripping with sweat when I arrived in his office—112/78.
Here are my thoughts about what I saw and the images I captured.
HPJF 2022 (Day 2)
The Sixteenth Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival is held over two days. Here are my thoughts about and images from the second day.
Demanding Prison Reform
Today a group of demonstrators called for prison reform, particularly with respect to the Menard Correctional facility in downstate Illinois. Many of the speakers were related to inmates at Menard, resulting in some highly impactful speeches. Here are my thoughts, together with the images I made during the 75-minute rally.
Sunday Bonus
Today, I encountered what might be described as a bonus demonstration. I headed downtown for the Ukrainians, and ran into animal-rights activists outside the Louis Vuitton store on Michigan Avenue. This demonstration was rather low-key, although the police were present. For my thoughts and images, click on the photograph of the buff protester.
The Return
The Art Institute’s famed bronze lions returned today from their month-long deep clearing in Forest Park. I was on hand for the reinstallation outside the Art Institute. Here are my thoughts and the images I captured.
Reopened
I made my third trip to Highland Park yesterday. The downtown had reopened. Two vigils were scheduled. Here are my thoughts and images from the day
The Invasion
A Saturday Afternoon Clash in the Loop. Pro-Lifers gathered in Federal Plaza for a rally and march, while a large contingent of agitated and angry counter demonstrators responded with taunts, signs, and geers. Here are my thoughts and images from today’s festivities.
Highland Park
I headed up to Highland Park today to witness the aftermath of yesterday’s mass shooting. Here are my thoughts and images from the day.
A Shooting's Aftermath
Last night a gunman shot nine people, killing two, at the corner of State and Chicago Avenue. The event transfixed the public. The media was out in force today. I spent two hours in the area this afternoon. Here are my thoughts and images.
Alito's Leak II
Today, somewhere around 5,000 abortion-rights advocates gather in Chicago’s Federal Plaza, and they then marched through the Loop, ending at the Ida B. Wells Memorial. Here are my thoughts about what I witnessed, together with my images.
Alito's Leak I
Following the leak of Justice Samuel Alito’s draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, a demonstration erupted in front of the United States Supreme Court. Within 18 hours, people were demonstrating across the country. Here are my images from the demonstration that took place today in Chicago’s Federal Plaza late this afternoon.