All tagged Michigan Avenue

1000 Days

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.

OKHMATDYT Bombing

Chicago’s Ukrainian Community gathered in the Wrigley Building Plaza just hours after Russia bombed Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital—about as close to a just-in-time demonstration as can you can get. It was an impressive showing. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and subsequent march that drew over 500 people on a muggy summer evening.

Calling Out Mondelēz

Members of Chicago’s Ukrainian Community held a rally outside the Wrigley Building on May 18, 2024, the location of Mondelēz International’s offices. The company is the maker of Oreo Cookies and Ritz Crackers, among other well-know snack foods. They continue to operate inside Russia, which is why the Ukrainians were demanding that Mondelēz put humanitarian concerns above profits. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and subsequent march.

Black Friday

Black Friday saw Michigan Avenue shut down by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, a blockade of Victoria’s Secret and the Starbucks flagship store, and arrests when several demonstrators refused to call it a day. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day’s events

"Shut It Down"

Ten days I attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration that shut down Michigan Avenue, raising serous questions whether spontaneous shutdowns of public right-of-ways are appropriate. Here are my thoughts about that issue, as channeled through six weeks of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, as well as my images from the particular demonstration.

500 Days

Today, Chicago’s Ukrainian community marked the 500th day of the war with Russia by demanding that Russia be held accountable for war crimes. It was quite a demonstration, with the Goddess of Justice, Themis, making an appearance. Here are my thoughts about and images from what was a visual spectacle.

Russians

Selfie Time, and on a more serious note, a demonstration on behalf of Ukrainian children who have been kidnapped by the Russians, which was followed by a demonstration celebrating Alexei Navalny’s birthday. Here are my thoughts and images from today’s demonstrations.

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.