Jul 28

Jul 28 Burned Alive

Chicago, Demonstrations, Performance, Public Declarations, Protest

“Folks are screaming out of control . . .
When the boogie started to explode
I heard ‘Putin’ say

(Burn baby burn) disco Inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
(Burn baby burn) disco Inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down”

— Disco Interno, The Tramps, from Disco Inferno (1976)

“Joseph Stalin, Malenkov
’Putin and Lenin’
Communist Bloc, Roy Cohn
Bridget Bardot, Khrushchev,
‘Gaius Caligula, Nero,
Donald Trump, JD Vance’

We didn’t start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world’s been turning
We didn’t start the fire
No, we didn’t light it
But we tried to fight it
”

— We Didn’t Start the Fire (updated), Billy Joel from Storm Front (1989)

With just three weeks to go before the Democratic National Convention, today proved to be a busy one on Chicago’s streets. For the first time, members of Chicago’s growing Venezuelan Community held some sort of demonstration, as did a small group protesting Sonya Massey’s alleged murder just outside of Springfield, Illinois at the hands of Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sean Grayson—since charged with three counts of first degree murder.

If it is Sunday, there is a good chance that either members of Chicago’s Russian Émigré Community or members of the Chicago’s Ukrainian Community will be in the plaza outside of the Wrigley Building bringing attention to Putin and the havoc he has reaped. Today, it was the Ukrainians, numbering somewhere between 100 and 150 people.

Interestingly, the Ukrainian Community’s leadership was largely missing. Nevertheless, there were many familiar faces, including Roman Hlyva, who was born in Ukraine. He often is the spark, igniting the chants during the countless rallies and marches since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ion February 24, 2022. He does use a bullhorn, but he has lungs of iron and a voice that simply doesn’t falter under the considerable strain that he imposes on it.

I don’t know whether Hlyva organized today’s gathering, but he functioned as a proverbial one-man band. I first saw him standing on a traffic island across from the Michigan Avenue Apple Store, denouncing Putin as he paced back and forth as if he were a caged lion, ready to uncoil at any moment. He then returned to the Wrigley Building Plaza, still pacing while screaming into his black bullhorn. Hlyva eventually instructed the demonstrators to snap into formation for the march to Jane Byrne Plaza (the location of Chicago’s Old Water Tower).

Leading the way was a group carrying large yellow letters spelling out “#Free Azov.” Hlyva, walking perilously close to the roadway, urged them on, at times serving as the traffic cop at intersections even though CPD halted traffic, allowing the marchers to pass by like a lengthy centipede. When he arrived at Jane Byrne Plaza, Hlyva climbed the three or four steps at the foot of the tower, as the demonstrators formed a large semi-circle in front of him. He then engaged in what might best be described as a “call-response” pattern for an extended period. I was later told that this was a Ukrainian military prayer. Hlyva then led the group in a stirring rendition of the Ukrainian National Anthem.

When I arrived at Wrigley Plaza, there were three mini platforms resting on iron supports—each one not more than a foot off the ground. Another photographer and I wondered what those were for. I asked one demonstrator, who told me that there would be some sort of Yoga demonstration, which would have been a first for the Ukrainians, and for that matter, every other group who regularly demonstrates. I asked whether I would have to do a downward dog. I would just have to wait patiently for the answer.

I still did not have the answer, when I saw a caravan of cars headed north on Michigan Avenue with flags extending through sunroofs and flares spewing red smoke. Not yellow and blue? Unfortunately, the processional lost some of its visual fizzle because the flares were ignited as the cars idled in place on the Michigan Avenue Bridge, stuck in traffic. By the time the cars passed the demonstrators, the canisters were largely empty.

Somewhere further north, the drivers must have hung a uey. Once several cars returned to the Wrigley Building Plaza, I learned what the supposed “Yoga” demonstration was all about. Three men walked toward the platforms, each lying down on a platform. More flares were ignited. The men began to writhe in agony, as red smoked filled the plaza. When I asked Hlyva what that was all about, he told me they were being burned alive at the hands of the Russians.

Clearly the simulated immolations were today’s highlight. I give Hlyva and his compatriots kudos for upholding the Ukrainian tradition of visually-arresting demonstrations. I do, however, have one suggestion: Use more English. Despite the drama, I still have no idea whether the three men ‘burning’ to death were POWs, victims of the missile strike on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, or members of Azov Brigade who died during the Azov Steel Mill siege. Maybe it doesn’t matter, but I would liked to have known the backstory.

The predominance of Ukrainian also raises a existential question: Do the Ukrainians, as well as many other groups, demonstrate for their own sense of well-being and community, or to inform and shape public opinion? If the former, Ukrainian is fine given the large number of Ukrainian speakers taking part. If, however, the Ukrainians are demonstrating to shape public opinion, English should predominate. Many passersby will just keep walking no matter what language is spoken, but there are always curious people who will stop to see what all the fuss is about. Take advantage of their curiosity.

And please, more flares during future demonstrations. Maybe yellow and blue, with a few bubbles from a bubble machine.

[I generally don’t take positions regarding the events I cover. I make an exception for Ukrainian and anti-Putin Russian demonstrations. There is only one correct viewpoint.]

[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]