Upping the Ante
Despite today’s extreme cold, 50 to 75 Iranian Americans gathered in Jane Byrne Plaza (site of the Old Water Tower) today for a 2:00 PM rally calling for regime change in Iran. Given the weather, I debated whether to attend, knowing full well that the plaza would not be overflowing with people, but curiosity got the better of me. Just how many people would attend? Since the CTA’s 146 bus stops across the street from my house and drops me off at Jane Bryne Plaza, I decided to satisfy my curiosity.
I assume the rally did not last more than hour. I left, along with another photographer, after 30 minutes. We had our images, so there was no need to suffer the chill any longer. We both had significant trouble using our cameras. I was using two Leica rangefinders, which require manual focusing. Even with bare fingers, I had trouble positioning the focusing patch, often changing the aperture rather than the focus because the two dials are next to each other. We both had trouble pressing our shutter buttons.
I can’t blame Chicago’s Iranian Community for upping the ante—they had held a rally six days earlier on January 11, 2026. Their fellow Iranians have paid a heavy price on the streets of Tehran and in other Iranian cities. The regime’s response has been brutal, with thousands dying. In the long run the high price may justify the human cost. The theocratic regime shows signs of collapsing, but there is no guarantee that it will do so.
Although few in number, the demonstrators who did attend were enthusiastic, as were the speakers. Most, if not all, appeared to be supporting Reza Pahlavi, who plans to replace the current theocracy with a monarchy that would then transition to a democracy. Pahlavi is the 65-year-old son of the late Shah of Iran.
I expect we will see more demonstrations by Chicago’s Iranian Community in the coming days.
[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]
"Iran Bleeds"
A Small, But Enthusiastic Group Calling for Regime Change in Iran
Holding a Placard with a Photo of the Man He Hopes Will Replace the Existing Theocratic Regime
Revolution Is the One Solution
Standing Alone, But Firmly
Delivering Fiery Remarks with His Fist Thrusting Upward for Emphasis
Another Iranian Flag Taking Flight
Calling to MIGA
Showing the Flag
Singing an Anthem
Calling for the Restoration of Monarchy by Putting the late Shah’s Son, Reza Pahlavi, into Power. Pahlavi Has Indicated He Will Replace the Theocracy with a Democracy
The Israeli Flag Making an Appearance
The Flags of Two Longstanding Enemies Overlapping Each Other
Drawing an Important Distinction
Signs Waiting for Someone to Use Them
Another American Flag Making an Appearance
Copyright 2026, Jack B. Siegel, All Rights Reserved. Do Not Alter, Copy, Display, Distribute, Download, Duplicate, or Reproduce Without the Prior Written Consent of the Copyright Holder.
