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.
Divesture at U. of C.
University of Chicago students and others constructed a Gaza Solidarity encampment in front of the Edward H. Levi Hall. Here are my thoughts about and images from my two visits to the encampment.
Cosplaying at DePaul
No surprise here. When I returned from New York, I had to focus on Gaza Solidarity encampments at DePaul and the University of Chicago. Here are my thoughts about and images from my visit on Wednesday and Thursday to the DePaul encampment.
Captivity Kills
A small, but potent group of Ukrainians took to the streets today, as they have done two other times during the last month or so. Loud chants of “Thank You USA” could be heard as those holding Ukrainian flags and signs celebrated the House approval of the $60 billion Ukrainian aid package. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
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.
Finally
On Thursday, April 18, 2024, I attended a pro-Israeli demonstration outside the Tribune Tower adjacent to the river. The group was spirited. Surprisingly, there was not a single counter-demonstrator. Here are my further thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
DNC Preview?
During Monday’s pro-Palestinian rally, the Chicago Police Department changed the rules of the game in a likely precursor to August’s Democratic National Convention. There were arrests. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
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.
Biden Meet and Greet
President Joe Biden came to Chicago today for a fundraiser just off North Michigan Avenue. No surprise: pro-Palestinian demonstrators showed up, as did I. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from the demonstration.
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.
Emmet Cohen
Emmet Cohen brought his trio to the University of Chicago’s Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts Friday night for what was a terrific evening of music. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening’s peformance.
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.
Home-Court Advantage
On Saturday, March , 2024, Chicago’s Palestinian community held a march and rally in their own neighborhood—Bridgeview, Illinois—aka ‘Little Palestine.’ I made the hour + pilgrimage to learn about the community. Here are my thoughts about and images from my adventure.
Listing the Dead
On March 7 in Chicago’s Federal Plaza, pro-Palestinian demonstrators came together for a 24-hour vigil where the names of the 30,000+ individuals who had been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 were read aloud—they were unable to read every name because of time constraints. Here are my thoughts about and images from the vigil