On Tuesday, members of Chicago’s Jewish Community celebrated the 76th anniversary of Israel’s birth by raising the Israeli flag in Daley Plaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
All in Demonstrations
Civility Breaks Out
On Sunday afternoon, the pro-Palestinian students in DePaul University’s Fullerton Avenue Quad still occupied their Gaza Solidarity encampment. Five block to the east, a group of Jewish students and community members held their own gathering at the corner of Fullerton, Lincoln and Halstead. Here are my thoughts about and images from the competing events.
Flag Raising (Palestinian)
The Palestinian Community held a ceremonial flag raising in Daley Plaza on Saturday. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
Ukrainian Moms Speak
Chicago’s Ukrainian community commemorated Mother’s Day with a rally in Jane Byrne Park (location of the historic water tower). The moms were out with their kids, handing out flowers to shoppers on Michigan Avenue while pleading Ukraine’s case. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
Divesture at U. of C.
University of Chicago students and others constructed a Gaza Solidarity encampment in front of the Edward H. Levi Hall. Here are my thoughts about and images from my two visits to the encampment.
Cosplaying at DePaul
No surprise here. When I returned from New York, I had to focus on Gaza Solidarity encampments at DePaul and the University of Chicago. Here are my thoughts about and images from my visit on Wednesday and Thursday to the DePaul encampment.
Captivity Kills
A small, but potent group of Ukrainians took to the streets today, as they have done two other times during the last month or so. Loud chants of “Thank You USA” could be heard as those holding Ukrainian flags and signs celebrated the House approval of the $60 billion Ukrainian aid package. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
CPD Permits March
On Saturday, April 20, 2024, pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied and then staged a march on Michigan Avenue, followed by a symbolic sit-in at the intersection of Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue. Unlike this past Monday, the Chicago Police Department permitted the march to proceed. For my thoughts about the demonstration and my images, click on the image below.
Finally
On Thursday, April 18, 2024, I attended a pro-Israeli demonstration outside the Tribune Tower adjacent to the river. The group was spirited. Surprisingly, there was not a single counter-demonstrator. Here are my further thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
DNC Preview?
During Monday’s pro-Palestinian rally, the Chicago Police Department changed the rules of the game in a likely precursor to August’s Democratic National Convention. There were arrests. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Biden Meet and Greet
President Joe Biden came to Chicago today for a fundraiser just off North Michigan Avenue. No surprise: pro-Palestinian demonstrators showed up, as did I. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from the demonstration.
Six Months In
Today, I attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration marking the six-month anniversary of the war between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7, 2024. Here are my thoughts about and images from today’s demonstration.
Way of the Cross
Chicago’s Daley Plaza was served as the first station for the annual Way of the Cross processional through the streets of Chicago on Good Friday ending at Holy Name Cathedral. Here are my thoughts from and images from what was an uplifting event—even for nonbelievers.
Green
St. Patrick’s Day is the real deal in Chicago, so I headed out to capture those wearin’ the green on Saturday. Much to my surprise, pro-Palestinian demonstrators ‘crashed’ the festivities mid-afternoon. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
Home-Court Advantage
On Saturday, March , 2024, Chicago’s Palestinian community held a march and rally in their own neighborhood—Bridgeview, Illinois—aka ‘Little Palestine.’ I made the hour + pilgrimage to learn about the community. Here are my thoughts about and images from my adventure.
Again?
On Monday, March 4, 2023, pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged rallies outside the Chicago offices of the Egyptian and Israeli Consulates General. Here are my thoughts about and images from both rallies.
A Close Call
The weather was beautiful today and I hadn’t been to a Chicago Pro-Palestinian Saturday demonstration in over a month, so I headed to Federal Plaza, where a group of several thousand assembled for a march to the Offices of the Israeli Consulate General. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
RIP Aaron Bushnell
Members of Chicago’s pro-Palestinian Community held a demonstration outside the offices of the Israeli Consulate General last night to honor Aaron Bushnell and the sacrifice made earlier this week when he chose self-immolation. Here are my thoughts about and images from what was a memorial service.
Tenacity
Chicago’s Ukrainian Community marked the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of the community’s homeland with a rally, march, and mass. Here are my thoughts about and images from the anniversary commemoration.
A Show of Support
Russian dissidents who live in Chicago commemorated the second anniversary of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine hours before Chicago’s Ukrainian Community staged its own commemoration. Here are my thoughts about and images from the Russian demonstration and march.