Dec 8

Dec 8 Doctors Take A Stand

Chicago, Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

Following the demonstration at Boeing’s corporate offices, I headed to an unrelated demonstration somewhere in the vicinity of Millennium Park. Palestinian healthcare workers staging it, hoping to highlight the medical disaster that is unfolding in Gaza.

I had read conflicting reports about the location. It was initially reported that the demonstration would take place in Wrigley Square at the north end of Millennium Park, but I then read reports that it would be at the Art Institute of Chicago. One source placed it outside the new wing, while another referred to the Michigan Avenue main entrance.

I started at the north end of Millennium Park, where I saw a brightly lit and colorful group of Christmas carolers standing on what must have been risers. I was some distance away, but the about 40 people were standing on what appeared to risers. “No demonstration here,” I thought to myself, so I headed to the Art Institute. Sure enough, there was a group of doctors and nurses standing just to the south of main entrance. Above them stood one of the Art Institute’s two lions dressed in holiday garb protectively overlooking those gathered below. I don’t know why they chose the Art Institute as the location, but I suspect it had to do more with Michigan Avenue visibility than anything pertaining to the Art Institute.

Unlike the larger pro-Palestinian demonstrations, this one was subdued. In fact, the demonstrators seemed to be a little camera shy. One other photographer showed up, and there were three television cameramen.

In terms of content, two or three people gave speeches focused on health care in Gaza, focusing particularly on the plight of both healthcare workers in Gaza and the population at large. Inadequate supplies; unsanitary conditions; the threat of death at any moment while caring for the sick and injured; untenable ‘Sophie‘s Choices’ because of the need to triage the sick and wounded; and far too many people in need of medical attention than can be assisted. The reports that drugs needed for anesthesia are in short supply were particularly chilling when I imagined that I was the patient—suffer inscrutable pain or die.

Several people then read the names of medical personnel in Gaza who had been killed. Sadly, it was a long list. Then, if I understood correctly, they read the names of those who had been kidnapped. I am not sure who is kidnapping doctors and nurses.

I left after about 45 minutes, suspecting that the demonstration was almost over. As I walked north, I ran into a senior police officer who I had never spoken to before. When he asked me how I was doing, I responded, “You got lucky tonight, the lone guy on duty for this one,” which yielded a laugh. Obviously, CPD didn’t view this as a high-risk demonstration.

But as I headed past Millennium Park, circumstances changed. Twenty or 30 police officers were lining the street, with a bunch of people wearing keffiyeh’s congregating on the sidewalk. I asked one woman with a keffiyeh wrapped over her shoulders what was happening. She told me that the group had just left the Christmas carolers, where the group began chanting the now familiar slogans.

I didn’t say anything, but if what she told me was an accurate portrayal, those who participated engaged in highly counterproductive activity. As I have noted before, the crisis in Gaza is on virtually everyone’s mind. Yet, people are entitled to occasional relief from the media’s onslaught. Perhaps of greater importance, people have no obligation to stop living their lives. The Palestinian cause is not necessarily everyone else’s cause, meaning Palestinians and their supporters should observe reasonable boundaries.

Every year, Chicago Families come to Millennium Park to see the large tree, skate, and participate in events like this evening’s caroling concert. Nothing was gained by interrupting the concert, and much was lost.

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