Divide and Conquer
“You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way”
For the last several days, my fellow photographers and I have had trouble ascertaining the start time for the annual May Day rally in Chicago’s Union Park. We had seen online announcements listing 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:00 AM as start times. Everyone agreed that 8:00 AM was too early. The consensus called for arrival sometime between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Of course, there is one eager beaver in every group. Shortly after 9:00 AM, he texted that Father Michael Pfleger was speaking. He got the image; the rest of us got an extra hour of sleep.
As I exited the Green Line train at Ashland, the reason for all the confusion became clear. Union Park’s soggy field revealed clusters of people throughout the park. Entering the park from the north, I immediately saw a stage for the speakers, but groups were also congregated in the southwest and southeast corners of the park, far from the stage. Scattered throughout the center of the park, as well as on its peripheries, others clustered together in smaller aggregations. Tables and tents dotted the landscape, where groups handed out literature and sold buttons—I bought four to add to my growing collection.
Call them Organized Labor, the Left, the Resistance, Progressives, Socialists, or even Communists, the disparate collection of advocacy groups dotting Union Park’s landscape explains why Donald Trump and his MAGA acolytes control the White House and both houses of Congress. Although Trump’s message and regime are repulsive, his kakistocracy speaks with one highly disciplined voice, albeit one largely spouting lies. While everyone in Union Park agreed that Trump is a disgrace, a trainwreck, and a threat to our democracy, each group came with its own agenda. The terms “union” and “unity” are synonymous, but for the time being, the Resistance is sorely lacking in a unified vision or a viable alternative to Trump.
The resulting visuals were terrible. As is typical, the speaker lineup was filled with representatives from many of the groups who fielded teams today. When one speaker took the mic, his or her group stood in front of the stage or behind the speaker, holding banners identifying the group and their cause. The minute the speaker finished, the group left the area, returning to a far-flung corner of the park.
In one case, a large group focused on immigrant rights and deportations left the area in front of the stage early in the program, heading to the far southeast corner of the park. Snapping into formation for the march, the demonstrators waited well over an hour before the march’s scheduled noon kickoff. Apparently none of the other speakers had anything meaningful to say, at least that was the message being conveyed. As is often the case, the speeches were nothing but a delay tactic, permitting the crowd to grow before the march kicked off.
Division was on full display. And I wasn’t the only one who came to that conclusion. Standing in front of the lead banner as I waited for the march to begin, I asked one veteran photographer whether she agreed with my observations. “Absolutely,” was her immediate response. Paraphrasing her follow up, she said, ‘I was thinking the exact same thing, all this division.’
[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]
The Revolutionary Communists of America Left Their Mark
He's Got the Merch That Everyone Wants
Well Said
One of the Speakers Delivering Her Remarks
No Beating Around the Bush with This One
Listening to Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Gates Davis Call Out Rahm Emanuel
She is Worth More
Ready to March Over an Hour Ahead of Schedule
A Widely Held Sentiment
Representing People Who Work in Libraries and Bookstores
The Oligarchs Are the True Puppeteers
Messaging. The speakers, signage, and chants included three discernable messages. First, using a phrase from New York Times columnist David Brooks, Donald Trump’s pagan ethos, hung heavy over Union Park, just like the dark clouds that marred the day. According to Brooks, this ethos is rooted in ancient Rome, which “celebrated power, manliness, conquest, ego, fame, competitiveness and prowess.” Brooks goes onto to define this mindset’s major flaw, declaring, “But there is little compassion in this worldview, no concept that humility might be a virtue. There is a callous tolerance of cruelty.” The demonstrators were focused on this flaw, including the cruelty, which has been most visible in Trump’s gleeful willingness to deny people due process and a social safety net.
Second, in terms of Trump policies, immigration and deportations were today’s central focus. I never realized that there were so many Latino and migrant organizations in Chicago. I could discern little difference between today’s rally and a rally that I attended two months ago in Little Village that focused on immigrant rights.
Third, this being May Day, organized labor extolled labor and the value of work. Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates and Service Employees International Union National President April Verrett were on hand, both with prominent speaking roles. Despite all the union signage and large member turnout, organized labor nevertheless was largely an afterthought this year—the excuse for a demonstration focused on deportation.
When I arrived, I notice several Palestinian stalwarts on or around the stage. One woman clad in a keffiyeh was functioning as the MC, at least when I was present—as usual I listened to some of the speeches, but spent most of my time working the crowd. Undoubtedly, several speakers spoke on behalf of the Palestinians. Yet, I saw many more Mexican flags than Palestinian ones.
Notably, like the Palestinian cause, Elon Musk’s long shadow had receded. Some people held signs referencing Musk and other Trump undesirables, but neither Musk, nor Tesla were nearly as predominant as they had been in recent weeks.
MAGA Better Not Like Margaritas or Guacamole
Quite Artistic
Face Paint with a Message
Lady Liberty Believes Trump Has Stabbed Law and Order in the Back
Another Speaker Offering His Thoughts
An "Old Friend" from an Earlier Immigrant's Rights March
Defining the Relationship Between the People and the Law
Carrying a Heavy Load While Waiting for the March to Begin
In Line, Waiting and Seemingly Bored
SEIU Team Photo
Behind the SEIU Banner
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr.
A Penguin that Is Afraid of Getting Wet?
Wanting to Get the March Moving as They Wait
School Children. The Chicago Teachers Union seemingly ‘brought’ props, taking the form of school children dressed in red shirts standing behind a banner reading, “Strong Schools; Strong Neighborhoods.” I have no idea whether the students walked to Union Park from a nearby school, came by bus from schools farther afield, or accompanied their parents to the rally, but they were present. Why weren’t these students in school on a Thursday morning in early May?
A good case can be made that the kids learned more in Union Park than had they been in school today. The rally offered important lessons in civic engagement. Yet, were the kids merely simply parroting the views held by CTU President Gates, or had had they been given sufficient information to make their own informed judgments?
During her remarks, Gates condemned any effort to close additional Chicago public schools despite the Chicago Civic Federation’s findings in a study entitled Financial Landscape Analysis of the Chicago Public School District that was issued earlier this year. According to CPS data summarized in the study, 58% of the district’s buildings are underutilized—meaning that enrollment is below 70% of a school’s capacity. In 2024, 154 out of 498 of CPS schools were operating at less than 50% capacity. At the high school level, when a school is underutilized, the average cost per student rises from $18,163 to $30,501.
Gates railed against former Mayor Rahm Emanuel and billionaire Kenneth Griffin. Why, in Gates’ mind, repeat Emanuel’s mistake by closing more schools when Griffin and other billionaires have plenty of wealth to keep them open? Never mind the inefficiency and the fact that Chicago’s municipal government has teetered on the brink of bankruptcy for years.
Gates applause lines were well-received by the crowd. But what Gates conveniently ignores is that those in the middle—independents—rejected her views when they filled their dance cards for the next four years with Donald Trump and JD Vance. Gates and her rhetoric encapsulate the core problem facing Democrats, both locally and at the national level.
Large tax hikes are unlikely and would damage the city’s economy given: (i) the city’s financial condition; (ii) its reliance on property taxes to finance government services; and (iii) shrinking retail and commercial activity in the downtown area that is so vital to Chicago’s vibrancy. If anyone should be focused on reducing inefficiencies, it should be Gates and her Progressive allies. Thoughtful school closures would free up money for affordable housing, mental health services, and assistance to the homeless (or in Progressive parlance, the “unhoused”). Gates is unyielding, just like her fellow Progressives, which means those in the middle will continue to vote for Donald Trump and his minions. Gates should put Ezra Klein’s Abundance on her reading list.
While the child props may parrot the party (Gate’s) line, those students should be far more concerned about a school system that continues to turnout students lacking in basic reading and math proficiency. An Illinois Policy Institute article summarizes the sorry statistics. As of 2024, only 22.3% of 11th graders were reading at grade level, while only 18.6% were proficient in math. If Gates is truly serious about eliminating inequality, she and her minions might shift their focus from building a social movement to teaching children.
Of all those present in Union Park, the child props should be the ones screaming at that top of their lungs. They are the victims of a school system that doesn’t teach.
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates Leading Her ‘Political’ Movement
Standing with a Clenched Fist
Several Students Representing the CTU Partyline
A Student Calling for Strong Neighborhood and Schools
Apparent Students Joining in with the CTU Demonstrators
Revving Up the Students
The March. Throughout the morning, more and more groups gathered along the parkland abutting West Washington Boulevard and Ashland. By noon, everyone was waiting for the last speaker to clam up, so that the demonstrators could march along West Washington to Morgan, where the march would head south to Jackson, and then proceed along Jackson to Grant Park.
By the time the march began, somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 people were lined up for the processional. One photographer texted me that a police officer put the number at 5,000. I don’t know whether the officer was high in the chain of command or just a line officer engaging in friendly chatter. The city no longer issues official crowd estimates, so I bet this was just friendly chatter.
Later, another photographer texted me that he thought the number was closer to 10,000. I am inclined to agree. Portions of the line snaking through the West Loop were densely populated, but there were also segments where there were visible gaps between marchers. Any estimate is difficult because the march extended for well over ten blocks.
The marchers were peaceful. I saw no one tagging street signs or the sides of buildings. The pace was leisurely. I didn’t see a single confrontation between the police and the demonstrators.
Next year, the organizers should shorten the route. According to Google Maps, it extended for 2.5 miles. By the time the marchers reached the Kennedy Expressway, many were flagging. I really can’t complain; I hit my daily goal for steps.
At Wells and Jackson, I made the proverbial climb to the ‘L’ platform to get the overhead ‘Money Shot’ of the demonstrators heading down the street. Plenty of people were still passing under the ‘L’ tracks over Jackson. Once I had the shot, I had to peel off for a 2:45 PM doctor’s appointment, so I never made it to Grant Park.
Tonight, I checked the web for news clips from the local stations. I was shocked to learn that there was a second rally in Grant Park that dispersed at 5:00 PM. The overhead drone or helicopter shot showed significantly fewer people gathered on Butler Field than in Union Park. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was one of the keynote speakers.
Going forward, the organizers should shorten the day’s timeframe. Seven or eight hours is just too long.
Mary, the Virgin Migrant, Will Watch Over the Marchers
The Skies Turn Omninous as the March Kicks Off
Demanding Rights for Chicago Workers
Hoping the Sun Melts the Dreaded ICE
Calling a Foul on ICE—Denial of Due Process
Taking a Short Break
Calling MayDay
The Ink Begins to Run as the Rain Comes Down
Priests Demanding Justice for Immigrants
Still Exercising Influence Beyond the Grave, Which Would Make Him Very Happy
They and Their Muskrats Have Been Seen a Few Times During the Last Several Weeks
Patriotism on Display: Carrying the Flag Rightside Up
The Pace Truck Leading the Way in the Rain
Wet, But Still Readable
Chicago Activist and Founder of the Gay Liberation Network Andy Thayer Rising Above the Marchers for More Dramatic Images and Videos
Fist Raised High
A Chant Caller with Stamina
Packed Together, But Coming on Strong
Calling for Investment in the Working Class
It's Lunchtime
Another Apt Descriptor
Heading Past My Old Office
BLM Is on the Field
The Letters Reversed
Banners Streching Across Jackson
Banging Her Drum
Dancing in the Streets
Letting It Rip
Displaying Today's Overriding Message
OCAD Calls for the Abolishment of ICE
People Came from Near and Far (Relatively Speaking)
Headed Over the Kennedy
Out of the Rain, Into the West Loop
Past the Corner Bakery
"Struggle for Justice"
Jack Benny's Successors Are in the House
'Stand Up; Stand Down; Stand Up'
The ‘Money Shot’
The Revolutionary Communists of America Passing the Beating Heart of Capitalism
CPD, the Invisible Force. When I first arrived at Union Park, I noted the lack of a strong police presence. Throughout the rally and the march, CPD was largely invisible. During the rally, I did see some squad cars on the park’s edges, as well as dozen or so bicycle cops positioned on Ashland.
Once the march began, the police presence was more visible, but still visually low key. Two or three police officers were on each corner. Others were directing traffic. Several officers lined the walkways on the bridges over the Kennedy Expressway and the Chicago River. Overall, CPD had plenty of manpower on the streets, but it was spread out and very discreet.
Senior CPD management apparently did not want the police to become the storyline. Whoever did the planning did an excellent job.
Copyright 2025, Jack B. Siegel (except the first two images in the post, which are copyrighted 2024). All Rights Reserved. Do Not Alter, Copy, Display, Distribute, Download, Duplicate, or Reproduce Without the Prior Written Consent of the Copyright Holder.
