On Tuesday, members of Chicago’s Jewish Community celebrated the 76th anniversary of Israel’s birth by raising the Israeli flag in Daley Plaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
All in Chicago
Civility Breaks Out
On Sunday afternoon, the pro-Palestinian students in DePaul University’s Fullerton Avenue Quad still occupied their Gaza Solidarity encampment. Five block to the east, a group of Jewish students and community members held their own gathering at the corner of Fullerton, Lincoln and Halstead. Here are my thoughts about and images from the competing events.
Palestinian Moms Speak
On Sunday morning, I attended a pro-Palestinian rally in Jane Byrne Park celebrating Mother’s Day. Here are my thoughts about and images from what was a textbook example of how a demonstration should be structured.
Flag Raising (Palestinian)
The Palestinian Community held a ceremonial flag raising in Daley Plaza on Saturday. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
Ukrainian Moms Speak
Chicago’s Ukrainian community commemorated Mother’s Day with a rally in Jane Byrne Park (location of the historic water tower). The moms were out with their kids, handing out flowers to shoppers on Michigan Avenue while pleading Ukraine’s case. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
Jammin' With Joe
President Joe Biden attended a campaign fundraiser at Chicago’s Palmer House late Thursday afternoon. Chicago’s pro-Palestinian forces took to the streets, letting ‘Genocide Joe’ know exactly what they think of him. Here are my thoughts about and images from an event that turned the downtown into a parking lot during evening rush hour.
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.
Humanities & Happiness
I had the opportunity to attend a conversation between New York Times columnist David Brooks and his wife, Ann Snyder tonight. The focus was on the role of the humanities in our life, particularly as people find themselves midway into their careers or racing toward retirement. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event, which was held in the David Rubenstein Forum on the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus.
Six Months In
Today, I attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration marking the six-month anniversary of the war between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7, 2024. Here are my thoughts about and images from today’s demonstration.
Way of the Cross
Chicago’s Daley Plaza was served as the first station for the annual Way of the Cross processional through the streets of Chicago on Good Friday ending at Holy Name Cathedral. Here are my thoughts from and images from what was an uplifting event—even for nonbelievers.
Eric Alexander
Late Sunday afternoon, I caught Eric Alexander’s set at Chicago’s famed Jazz Showcase. Here are my thoughts about and images from Alexander’s performance.
Greg and Fred
Saturday night I stopped by Mike Reed’s Constellation Chicago to hear alto saxophonist Greg Ward pay tribute to the great Fred Anderson. Here are my thoughts about and images from the performance.
Green
St. Patrick’s Day is the real deal in Chicago, so I headed out to capture those wearin’ the green on Saturday. Much to my surprise, pro-Palestinian demonstrators ‘crashed’ the festivities mid-afternoon. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
Winter JazzFest
On February 23, 2024, the Jazz Institute of Chicago held its Winter Jazz Fair at the Chicago Cultural Center. The day-long festival provided a welcome and much needed relief from the Winter blahs. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
Mayor Johnson Breaks Tie
On my way to the gym and on my way back, I stopped at City Hall because the City Council was considering a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel. The lobby was filled with pro-Palestinian demonstrators awaiting the results of the vote. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from the demonstration.
Ceasefire Resolution
Chicago’s Palestinian Community held a rally at Daley Plaza on January 27, 2024 to urge the City Council to adopt a cease fire resolution. Here are my thoughts and images from the demonstration.
Loops With Jeff Parker
Tonight I attended a performance by Chicago guitarist Jeff Parker and the New Breed. To my ears, the music was inspired by early-Seventies Soft Machine, but with far more electronics added to the mix. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.
Unity Day
On Sunday, January 21, 2023, Chicago’s Ukrainian Community celebrated Ukraine Unity Day, as well as the 50th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America—Illinois Division with a banquet at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
'Block' the Drive
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has castrated the Chicago Police Department, which was made evident once again today when a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators shutdown DuSable Lake Shore Drive for nearly three hours. For my thoughts about and images from what turned into an ordeal for thousands of Chicagoans, click on the link below.
Police Escort to Safety
I was going to skip today’s pro-Palestinian demonstration, but the snowfall made the event irresistible. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.