On Friday, April 11, 2025, I stopped by a rally by high school and college students promoting the environment and condemning climate change. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally.
All tagged Federal Plaza
Trans Storm
On Sunday, March 30, 2025, members of Chicago’s Transgender Community rallied in Federal Plaza, and then marched through a downpour to Trump Tower. Here are my thoughts about and images from those events.
Striking a Balance
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Sunrise Chicago held a rally in Chicago’s Federal Plaza, calling out Senator Richard Durbin’s and his recent vote in favor of the Republican’s Continuing Resolution, thereby avoiding a government shutdown. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Postal Privatization
On Sunday, March 23, 2025, I attended a rally in Chicago’s Federal Plaza sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers—one of over 200 similar rallies held across the country. The postal workers were rallying in opposition to privatization, as well as Elon Musk’s coming attack on their jobs. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
Fed Employees Speak Out
On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, current and recently terminated employees from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the IRS gathered at noon in Federal Plaza to rally against Elon Musk use of a metaphorical chainsaw to slash the Federal workforce. Here are my thoughts about and images from this small, but important demonstration.
Khalil's Right
On Tuesday, Chicago’s pro-Palestinian forces held what was billed as an emergency rally in Federal Plaza on behalf of Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate student who was taken into custody Sunday night by ICE agents because he helped orchestrate demonstrations on Columbia’s campus during the Spring of 2024. Whether you are pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian, Khalil’s case raises important First Amendment and right-to-legal counsel issues that should concern every American. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration, including two images of Khalil I captured when I visited Columbia’s campus during the Spring of 2024
Scientific Repeat
On Friday, May 7, 2022, rallies were held throughout the United States under the moniker, Stand Up for Science 2025. Its focus was on Trump’s misinformation, denigration of scientific facts, and cuts to NIH, CDC, and other funding that supports scientific and medical research. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally.
"AbandonHarris"
Late Thursday afternoon, the heritage Palestinians held a demonstration in Chicago's Federal Plaza. Several demonstrators held "AbandonHarris" signs. 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.
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.
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.
Listing the Dead
On March 7 in Chicago’s Federal Plaza, pro-Palestinian demonstrators came together for a 24-hour vigil where the names of the 30,000+ individuals who had been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 were read aloud—they were unable to read every name because of time constraints. Here are my thoughts about and images from the vigil
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.
Ritual Brings Relief
Late this afternoon, I headed to Federal Plaza for the first night of Hanukah. ‘Jewish Voice for Peace—Chicago,’ a pro-Palestinian Jewish group, asked those who support the Palestinians to bring menorahs for the ceremonial lighting of the candles. Here are my thoughts about and images from what turned out to be joyous and warm ‘demonstration.’
A Sit-In For Palestine
A number of Jewish groups held a demonstration in support of the Palestinian people late this afternoon. Over 70 demonstrators staged a sit-in that closed the thoroughfare leading to the Eisenhower Expressway during rush hour. For my observations about and images from this demonstration, click on the link below.
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.
'Say Her Name'
September 16, 2023 marks the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death while she was held in the custody of Iranian authorities. Chicago’s Iranian community held a rally today at Buckingham Fountain to honor Amini and others who have died while in Iranian custody or during the ensuing protests. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Relief for Haiti
Sunday morning, members of Chicago’s Haitian community held a rally in Daley Plaza in conjunction with other Haitian communities around the world who were holding simultaneous rallies. Everyone was seeking relief for the Haitian people. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Rabbi Michael
I headed down to Federal Plaza today for a demonstration calling for the boycott of July 4th. It was lead by Rabbi Michael, who spent the better part of an hour explaining why Black people should not celebrate July 4th. Here are my thoughts about and images from the small, but impactful demonstration.
Amicus Protest
The Seventh Circuit heard a challenge to Illinois’ ban on assault weapons today. Around 9:20 AM, a group of 40 demonstrators held a rally in support of the ban, hoping the three-judge panel would hear them. Here are my thoughts about and images from that demonstration.