Feb 7

Feb 7 Demanding Regime Change

Demonstrations, Donald J. Trump, Parades, Performance, Protest, Public Declarations

Chicago’s Iranian community once again took to Chicago’s streets today for another demonstration calling for regime change in Iran. Simultaneously, another group of demonstrators gathered in Daley Plaza, demanding that U.S. Immigration Control and Enforcement (“ICE”) vacate of Chicago (and Broadview). Like the Iranians, those gathered in Daley Plaza were also calling for regime change—or at least hoping for it.

While Chicago’s Iranian community is a relatively small one—numbering somewhere between 6,000 and 10,000 in the city and 30,000 in the MSA)—the Iranians who turned out for the demonstration in Congress Plaza outnumbered those who gathered in Daley Plaza, reflecting the Iranians’ fervor for regime change. A choice had to be made between the Iranians and the anti-Trump forces. I opted for the Iranians simply because their demonstrations tend to be far more colorful.

Both groups deserve everyone’s respect and admiration given the frigid temperatures. The first five weeks of 2026 have been brutal. Once again, I had trouble simply pressing the shutter buttons on my cameras, let along manually focusing my lenses. Within minutes, my fingers were frozen. Gloves simply are not an option when using Leica M-11P rangefinders.

Thankfully, the rally in Congress Plaza was short, with only a few speeches. Most of the speeches and chants were in Persian, so I did not understand what was being said. Once again, I strongly recommend that heritage groups (e.g., Palestinians, Russians, and Ukrainians) refrain from falling back on their native languages. Lots of pedestrians are curious as they walk past the gathering, particularly when the flags and signs are colorful and dramatic. While the demonstrators may understand every word, the passersby have little reason to take in the event, which undermines the message that the demonstrators hope to convey to passersby. The fundamental question remains: Are you trying to convince the public to support your cause, or are you just talking to yourselves?

Following the speeches, the demonstrators, numbering somewhere between 150 and 200 people, lined up for the march to Daley Plaza. Hoping to catch the tail end of the anti-ICE demonstration, I headed to Daley Plaza as the Iranians were passing the Art Institute’s two lions. In part, I decided to leave because the Iranians were marching at a ridiculously slow pace. It was simply too cold to be dawdling.

Later, another photographer confirmed my assessment, telling me that the Iranian procession northward on Michigan Avenue was the slowest march she had ever covered. To be blunt, next time the Iranians need to pick up the pace.

As Daley Plaza came within my sight, I saw the anti-ICE demonstrators already marching north on Dearborn, heading toward Wacker Drive, across the river from Darth Vader’s (Trump’s) tower. It would have been interesting had the Iranians and the anti-ICE demonstrators run into each other, either in Daley Plaza or across the river from Trump Tower. After all, the anti-ICE demonstrators detest Donald J. Trump, while the Iranians support him because he is willing to use the U.S. military to bring down the repressive Iranian theocracy.

When the anti-Trump, anti-ICE demonstrators reached Trump Tower, they did not stand around. The organizers brought the demonstration to a end, with the demonstrators quickly disbursing. It was just too cold.

After warming up in the Michigan Avenue Apple store, I headed outside to catch the bus home. I thought I saw the Iranians arriving across the river from Trump Tower. I didn’t bother heading toward Wacker. All I wanted was warmth.

[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]