I had the opportunity to see and hear alto saxophonist Charles McPherson three times over the last month. Here are my thoughts about what I heard and the accompanying images.
Duck Derby
The Money Shot. My thoughts about and images from the Duck Derby
Comfort Women
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.
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.
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.
The Canary
At noon today, I attended a demonstration in Daley Plaza by members of Chicago’s Russian and Belarusian communities. They were demanding that no nuclear weapons be stored in or transferred to Belarus. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from the demonstration.
Camels
Today, PETA held a demonstration outside the offices of the Consular General of Egypt. They were highlighting by the Egyptian tourist industry of camels. 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.
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.
Kakhovka Dam
Amazingly, Chicago’s Ukrainian community took to the streets the same day that we learned that the Kakhovka dam had been destroyed. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration and march.
Russians
Selfie Time, and on a more serious note, a demonstration on behalf of Ukrainian children who have been kidnapped by the Russians, which was followed by a demonstration celebrating Alexei Navalny’s birthday. Here are my thoughts and images from today’s demonstrations.
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.