On Saturday, March 29, 2025, I attended a pro-Palestinian rally and march commemorating Land Day. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from the demonstration
All tagged Israel
Rallying for M. Khalil
Chicago’s Palestinian Community took to the streets on Saturday, March 22, 2025 to demonstration against the resumption Israel’s attacks on Gaza and Donald Trump’s efforts to deport Mahmoud Kahili, the Columbia University graduate student who helped organize the 2024 protests on Columbia’s campus. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.
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
Yoav Gallant: A Red Flag
On February 6, 2025, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke at Chicago’s Anshe Emet Day School. Outside, about 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in the bone-chilling cold. Here are my thoughts about and images about the event and the demonstration.
Changing Things Up
This past Saturday, I attended my first Chicago demonstration of the year. Sponsored by over 60 advocacy groups, it highlighted a number of causes. Front and center: the War in Gaza and Trump’s crackdown on undocumented aliens. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and demonstration.
A Star Is Born
For the second year in a row, pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched down Chicago’s Magnificent Mile on Black Friday. Today’s star was Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, a member of the anti-Zionist group, Neturei Karta. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
SAIC Walkout
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, students at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago held a demonstration, demanding that the Art Institute cut its ties with the Crown Family because the family still holds a significant interest in General Dynamics, a manufacturer of bombs used by the Israeli Defense Forces in the war against Hamas. Here are my thoughts about and images from the spirited demonstration.
Trump At The Fairmont
On Columbus Day, former President spoke to the Economics Club of Chicago at the Fairmont Hotel. Chicago’s pro-Palestinian forces held a press conference outside the hotel, which drew more media than that 10 to 15 demonstrators who were present. Here are my thoughts about and images from the press conference and demonstration.
Columbus Day
Sometime on or shortly before Columbus Day 2024, vandals attacked a beloved statue of Lincoln in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, trying to draw a connection between Native Americans (United States) and Palestinians (Israel). Here are my thoughts about the attack and images depicting its aftermath.
Marking One Year (IV)
The group, If Not Now, held a memorial service for those Israelis and Palestinians who were killed during the last year as a consequence of the attack by Hamas on October 7th and the subsequent Israeli military response. Here are my thoughts about and images from the memorial.
Marking One Year (III)
DePaul University students gathered just to the east of the Fullerton Avenue Quad today for a memorial to those who have died in Gaza and Lebanon since the October 7th attack by Hamas against Israelis. Here are my thoughts about and images from the memorial service and subsequent march.
Marking One Year (II)
On Sunday morning, October 6, the Chicago Jewish Alliance held a march and rally to remember those who died during the last year's October 7th attack by Hamas against Israel. The group also focused on the those who still are held as hostage. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally.
Marking One Year (I)
Chicago's Palestinian Community marked the first anniversary of the October 7th attack by Hamas with a demonstration at Jane Byrne Plaza, followed by a march northward that saw the demonstrators pass nearby Governor JB Pritzker's Gold Coast home. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.
"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.
Back To School
DePaul University students held a rally and march late Thursday afternoon to protest Israel's continued military action in Gaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.
The Arbaeen Procession
On my way to the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival, I encountered the annual procession honoring Hussain ibn Ali, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson who died a martyr. Here are my thoughts about and images from what is known as the Arbaeen Procession.
DNC Dispatch 6
The Palestinian Community held a rally and march today in Union Park. I also stopped by the location near the United Center where the Chicago Firefighters Union is protesting the lack of a contract. Earlier, I stopped by the DemPALOOZA at McCormick Place. Here are my thoughts about and photographs about all of that, and more.
DNC Dispatch 5
The second night of the 2024 Democratic Convention saw the most violence arrests. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from a night of chaos, as well as photograpahs from two other peaceful demonstrations during the day.
DNC Dispatch 4
On the first day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, I attended a rally and march in Chicago's Union Park that was sponsored by a coalition of left-wing and Progressive groups. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
RNC 2024-Day 1
The first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention is now in the record books. A coalition of groups opposed to various aspects of the Republican agenda held what was advertised as a major demonstration to show their opposition. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.