Today, Chicago’s Asian community commemorated Global Action Day for Justice for “Comfort Women” outside the Wrigley Building. Here are my thoughts about and images from the commemoration.
All in Chicago
Falun Gong
Several members of Falun Gong demonstrated outside the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China tonight. I was on hand to learn more about the Falun Gong. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
'Fake' Clinics
Abortion-rights protesters marched through Chicago’s Loop today with a focus on what they characterized as ‘fake” health clinics—ones designed to dissuade those seeking abortion assistance from obtaining an abortion. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
500 Days
Today, Chicago’s Ukrainian community marked the 500th day of the war with Russia by demanding that Russia be held accountable for war crimes. It was quite a demonstration, with the Goddess of Justice, Themis, making an appearance. Here are my thoughts about and images from what was a visual spectacle.
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.
Biden: 3 in 1
President Joe Biden stopped in Chicago today to deliver a speech at the Old Post Office, and then to attend two fundraisers at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in the Loop. Although he probably didn’t see them, three sets of demonstrators were on hand to make their concerns known to him: the Pro-Lifers, those concerned with Climate Change, and a group objecting to the deportation of an immigrant who has lived in Chicago for 18 years. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstrations.
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.
World Refugee Day
Chicago paid homage to World Refugee Day with a noon-time celebration in Daley Plaza. Unfortunately, the event was poorly attended, which is too bad. Here are my brief thoughts and some images from the festivities.
Bluesfest 2023
Tonight, the 2023 Chicago Bluesfest kicked off its four-day run in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The night included a centennial tribute to Albert King, as well as spell-bounding performances from 89-year old Bobby Rush and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Here are my thoughts about and images from a delightful evening of music.
Honoring Kian
Today, a number of families from Chicago’s Iranian community gathered in Grant Park to honor the memory of Kian Pirfalak, an Iranian boy who was shot to death by Iranian security forces responding to protests over the killing of Mahsa Amini. Here are my thoughts about and images from this demonstration.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is celebrated with speeches, wreath-laying ceremonies, and parades, but it is about a lot more. The memories can be painful. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from today’s Memorial Day celebrations in the City of Chicago.
Executions
Three men were executed in Iran this past Friday. Today, members of Chicago’s Iranian community gathered in Millennium Park for a demonstration followed by a march designed to highlight these and other executions of political prisoners by the Iranian authorities. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
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.
Azov (The Steel Mill)
I spent Mother’s Day with members of Chicago’s Ukrainian community, who were commemorating the Azov Steel Plant fighters. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Navalny
Earlier today, I attended a rally on Michigan Avenue in support of imprisoned dissident Alexei Navalny, imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and other political prisoners. Here are my thought about and images from this inspiring demonstration.
Bongbong Marcos
Following the May Day celebration in Union Park, I headed to the Office of the Consulate General of the Philippines where a demonstration was scheduled to protest the upcoming meeting between President Biden and President Bongbong Marcos of the Philippines. The demonstration placed a hot spotlight on some important foreign policy issues. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
May Day
On Saturday, i attended a early May Day celebration in Chicago’s Union Park on the near Westside. It rained early on, but the demonstrators were still spirited. Here are my thoughts on and images from the rally and march.
Linda May Han Oh
Bassist Linda May Han Oh performed this past Saturday night at the Reva and David Logan Center for the arts with a group of top-flight jazz musicians. Here are my thoughts about and images about the evening.
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.