I was going to skip today’s pro-Palestinian demonstration, but the snowfall made the event irresistible. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
All in Chicago
"#Abandon Biden"
On December 30, 2023, a group of Palestinian advocates held a press conference in Chicago announcing the expansion of their #AbandonBiden campaign to all 50 states. The group hopes to build a coalition to defeat President Biden in 2024. I attended the press conference. While the imagery is not dynamic, the event could be a watershed in the 2024 Presidential Election. Here are my thoughts and images, including ones from the annual Muslim American Society-Islamic Circle of North America Convention that was held at McCormick Place, drawing 30,000 attendees.
No Joy
On Saturday, I attended a rain-soaked pro-Palestinian demonstration that included some theater both inside and outside of the Michigan Avenue Zara store. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Killed By Israel
On Friday while waiting for a bus, I read a breaking story reporting that Israel had just killed three hostages who were shirtless and holding white flags. I then saw a ‘Kidnapped’ sign for one of the now dead hostages. Here are my thoughts about and two images that capture this creepy coincidence.
A Hanukah March
I attended a rally late this afternoon held by members of the Chicago’s Jewish Community (and others) demanding a cease fire in Gaza and calling for the end of U.S. aid to Israel. The event included a celebration of Hanukah and a march to Boeing’s Chicago offices. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.
Doctors Take A Stand
Tonight I attended a demonstration by Palestinian health care workers outside the Art Institute of Chicago that was meant to call attention to the ongoing medical crisis in Gaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from this passionate, but rather low-key demonstration.
Picketing Boeing
On Friday afternoon, a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators held a rally outside Boeing’s corporate offices, calling out the defense contractor for producing weapons that the demonstrators believe are being used by the Israelis in their crusade against Hamas. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
A Powerful Silence
On December 7, 2023, a lone man set up an elaborate display in Chicago’s Jane Byrne Plaza (the site of the Old Water Tower) in support of the Palestinian people. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event, including a summary of our conversation.
Taking Control
Today, I attended another pro-Palestinian demonstration and march in Chicago. Once again, the Chicago Police Department seemingly lost control of the situation. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from the day.
90th Holodomor
Tonight, I attended the Chicago Ukrainian Community’s annual Holodomor memorial in Jane Byrne Plaza and Holy Name Cathedral. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
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.
Removing the Crown
Yesterday, I attended a demonstration outside of the Art Institute of Chicago organized by Behind Enemy Lines. Among the demonstrators were students from School of the Art Institute who demanded that Steven Crown, an Art Institute trustee, be removed from the board of trustees because his family’s investment in General Dynamics finances the production of the bombs being dropped on Gaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Canceling Biden
Ten days ago, President Joe Biden was Chicago for a fundraiser. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged a protest a block away from the event. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
The Electric Hippo
On November 3, 2023, Theon Cross brought his electrified tuba to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. It was quite a night of innovative jazz fusion, with some hip hop added to the voodoo. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening’s performance.
Ben Wendel
On October 21, 2023, tenor saxophonist Ben Wendel brought his quintet to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, together with visual artist Xuan. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.
A Page Turner
If it’s Wednesday, there must be another Palestinian demonstration in the streets of Chicago. This one was in direct response to the hospital bombing in Gaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from this massive demonstration.
1000 Days
Last Sunday, following the Ukrainian demonstration outside the Wrigley Building, members of Chicago’s Russian Community marked the 1000th day Russian dissident Alexei Navalny’s captivity at the hands of Vladimir Putin. Here are my thoughts about and images from this demonstration.
Remembering Azovstal
This past Sunday, I attended an unusually small demonstration by members of Chicago’s Ukrainian Community. Some in attendance were recent émigrés. They were demanding that Russia release 500 prisoners who surrendered following the siege of the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol, Ukraine. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
5 To 8
According to one report, between 5,000 and 8,000 people filled the streets of Chicago last Saturday in support of the Palestinian people. Here are my thoughts about the third Palestinian demonstration since the start of the Israeli-Hamas War, together with the images I captured during Saturday’s massive rally and march.