All in Demonstrations
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.
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.
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.
On December 30, 2023, a group of Palestinian advocates held a press conference in Chicago announcing the expansion of their #AbandonBiden campaign to all 50 states. The group hopes to build a coalition to defeat President Biden in 2024. I attended the press conference. While the imagery is not dynamic, the event could be a watershed in the 2024 Presidential Election. Here are my thoughts and images, including ones from the annual Muslim American Society-Islamic Circle of North America Convention that was held at McCormick Place, drawing 30,000 attendees.
On Saturday, I attended a rain-soaked pro-Palestinian demonstration that included some theater both inside and outside of the Michigan Avenue Zara store. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
On Friday while waiting for a bus, I read a breaking story reporting that Israel had just killed three hostages who were shirtless and holding white flags. I then saw a ‘Kidnapped’ sign for one of the now dead hostages. Here are my thoughts about and two images that capture this creepy coincidence.
I attended a rally late this afternoon held by members of the Chicago’s Jewish Community (and others) demanding a cease fire in Gaza and calling for the end of U.S. aid to Israel. The event included a celebration of Hanukah and a march to Boeing’s Chicago offices. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.
Tonight I attended a demonstration by Palestinian health care workers outside the Art Institute of Chicago that was meant to call attention to the ongoing medical crisis in Gaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from this passionate, but rather low-key demonstration.
On Friday afternoon, a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators held a rally outside Boeing’s corporate offices, calling out the defense contractor for producing weapons that the demonstrators believe are being used by the Israelis in their crusade against Hamas. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
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.’
On December 7, 2023, a lone man set up an elaborate display in Chicago’s Jane Byrne Plaza (the site of the Old Water Tower) in support of the Palestinian people. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event, including a summary of our conversation.
Today, I headed to the suburbs—Schaumburg—for a pro-Palestinian demonstration. I was curious how it would compare to the large downtown rallies. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Today, I attended another pro-Palestinian demonstration and march in Chicago. Once again, the Chicago Police Department seemingly lost control of the situation. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from the day.
Yesterday, I attended a unique demonstration on the University of Illinois at Chicago’s campus. Students planted over 15,000 white flags in Geothermal Well Field, each inscribed with the name of a Gazan killed since October 7. Over a six-hour period, the students read the names aloud. Here are my thoughts about and images from this solemn event.
Last Sunday morning, I attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration in front of the Office of the Turkish Consulate General. Not much happened, but it did snow.
Tonight, I attended the Chicago Ukrainian Community’s annual Holodomor memorial in Jane Byrne Plaza and Holy Name Cathedral. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
Ten days I attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration that shut down Michigan Avenue, raising serous questions whether spontaneous shutdowns of public right-of-ways are appropriate. Here are my thoughts about that issue, as channeled through six weeks of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, as well as my images from the particular demonstration.
Yesterday, I attended a demonstration outside of the Art Institute of Chicago organized by Behind Enemy Lines. Among the demonstrators were students from School of the Art Institute who demanded that Steven Crown, an Art Institute trustee, be removed from the board of trustees because his family’s investment in General Dynamics finances the production of the bombs being dropped on Gaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Ten days ago, President Joe Biden was Chicago for a fundraiser. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged a protest a block away from the event. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
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.
