On Saturday, June 20, 2026, some 70 people gathered in Chicago’s Federal Plaza to commemorate Juneteenth. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was the most prominent speaker. Here are my thoughts about and images from the commemoration.
All tagged Federal Plaza
Back to School
Somewhere around 150 Chicago-area high school students gathered in Federal Plaza today for a demonstration demanding that the Trump Administration end its anti-migrant policies. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and the march to Daley Plaza that followed the speeches.
Renee Nicole Good (II)
On Saturday, January 10, 2026, Rabbi Michael Ben Yosef held a rally near Federal Plaza to call out ICE and the Trump Administration. The rally was poorly attended when compared to rallies in other cities, but those who did attend were enthusiastic. The group marched to Wacker Drive, across the River from Trump Tower.
Anemic
On Saturday, December 6, 2025, protesters stood in the Wrigley Building Plaza demonstrating against a likely Trump Administration war on Venezuela. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event
Venezuela
On November 20, 2025, 75 demonstrators held a rally in Chicago’s Federal Plaza objecting to Donald J. Trump’s efforts to topple Venezuela strongman Nicolás Maduro’s regime, possibly through U.S. military intervention. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Texas Hold 'Em
On Saturday, August 14, 2025, I attended “Stand with Texas: Fight the Trump Takeover” in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Sponsored by Indivisible Chicago, the demonstrators included many of the Texas legislators who fled to Illinois in order to prevent the Texas Legislature from converting five Democratic congressional seats to Republican ones through redistricting/gerrymandering. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event
Posse Comitatus
Late Thursday afternoon, August 14, 2025, several groups held a protest in Chicago’s Federal Plaza to object to Donald J. Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Trans Rights
This past Sunday afternoon, 75 demonstrations gathered in Federal Plaza for a rally on behalf of transgender rights. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Wash and Repeat
Late Monday afternoon, protesters gathered in Chicago’s Federal Plaza to demonstrate against the U.S. strike against Iranian nuclear facilities and Israel’s continued aggression in Gaza and its attacks on Iran. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.
A Twofer
This past Saturday, I attended my first anti-war demonstration in Chicago pertaining to the Israeli-Iranian War. Because of the heat, the organizers joined forces with the Palestinians, which made sense because the extreme heat kept turnout down. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally.
Highlighting Murder
Late Wednesday afternoon, I attended a highly theatrical demonstration in Chicago’s Federal Plaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Highlighting Climate Change
On Friday, April 11, 2025, I stopped by a rally by high school and college students promoting the environment and condemning climate change. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally.
Trans Storm
On Sunday, March 30, 2025, members of Chicago’s Transgender Community rallied in Federal Plaza, and then marched through a downpour to Trump Tower. Here are my thoughts about and images from those events.
Striking a Balance
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Sunrise Chicago held a rally in Chicago’s Federal Plaza, calling out Senator Richard Durbin’s and his recent vote in favor of the Republican’s Continuing Resolution, thereby avoiding a government shutdown. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Postal Privatization
On Sunday, March 23, 2025, I attended a rally in Chicago’s Federal Plaza sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers—one of over 200 similar rallies held across the country. The postal workers were rallying in opposition to privatization, as well as Elon Musk’s coming attack on their jobs. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
Fed Employees Speak Out
On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, current and recently terminated employees from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the IRS gathered at noon in Federal Plaza to rally against Elon Musk use of a metaphorical chainsaw to slash the Federal workforce. Here are my thoughts about and images from this small, but important demonstration.
Khalil's Right
On Tuesday, Chicago’s pro-Palestinian forces held what was billed as an emergency rally in Federal Plaza on behalf of Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate student who was taken into custody Sunday night by ICE agents because he helped orchestrate demonstrations on Columbia’s campus during the Spring of 2024. Whether you are pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian, Khalil’s case raises important First Amendment and right-to-legal counsel issues that should concern every American. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration, including two images of Khalil I captured when I visited Columbia’s campus during the Spring of 2024
Scientific Repeat
On Friday, May 7, 2022, rallies were held throughout the United States under the moniker, Stand Up for Science 2025. Its focus was on Trump’s misinformation, denigration of scientific facts, and cuts to NIH, CDC, and other funding that supports scientific and medical research. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally.
"AbandonHarris"
Late Thursday afternoon, the heritage Palestinians held a demonstration in Chicago's Federal Plaza. Several demonstrators held "AbandonHarris" signs. 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.