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.
All tagged Federal Plaza
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.
Intractable
Today, Pro-Lifers and Abortion-Rights advocates faced off in the Loop. Dueling demonstrations that thankfully remained violence free. The Chicago Police Department was out in force, keeping the two groups separate. Here are my thoughts about the days events, and images that I captured during the demonstrations and subsequent marches.
The Assyrians
A small group of Assyrians demonstrated in Federal Plaza on May 19, 2023, asking the United States government for assistance in reclaiming their homelands. Unfortunately, the demonstrations was largely ineffective in advancing their cause. Here are my thoughts on the Assyrian cause, as well as on how they can improve the effectiveness of future efforts. Of course, I have included my images from the demonstration.
Standing with Nashville
Indivisible Chicago organized a demonstration at Federal Plaza today in support of Tennessee Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pierson, as well as to draw attention to gun violence. Here are my images from and thoughts about the demonstration.
Tyre Nichols
Somewhere around 200 Chicagoans turned on a chilly Chicago evening to honor Tyre Nichols and other who have died at the hands of the police.
Counterproductive
Saturday’s abortion rights demonstration in Chicago’s Federal Plaza proved more interesting than I expected. A large group of Iranians participated, hoping to shine a light on the rights of Iranian women in light of the death of Masha Amini while in custody. I also was physically attacked (not by the Iranians). Here are thoughts on the experience, as well as my images.
Mixed Messages
In addition to 4-days of Bluesfest, I managed to attend the Chicago March for Our Lives demonstration in Federal Plaza. Here are my thoughts and images.
Alito's Leak II
Today, somewhere around 5,000 abortion-rights advocates gather in Chicago’s Federal Plaza, and they then marched through the Loop, ending at the Ida B. Wells Memorial. Here are my thoughts about what I witnessed, together with my images.