On Sunday, June 1, 2025, I headed to Montrose Harbor to watch members of Chicago’s Ukrainian Community assemble for a car caravan through the streets of Chicago. Here are my thoughts about and images from initial stages of the car caravan
All tagged Vladimir Putin
Sunday Sermon
On Sunday, May 18, 2025, I covered a Chicago Ukrainian Community demonstration commemorating the second anniversary of the end of the siege of the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol, Ukraine. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Free Tibet
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, I attended a demonstration organized by members of Chicago’s Tibetan Community demanding that the Chinese government recognize Tibet as an autonomous nation. The demonstrators also demanded the release of the Panchen Lama, who was kidnapped by the Chinese government 30 years ago, when he was just a 6-year-old boy. Here are my thoughts about and images from what was a colorful demonstration.
It's All Connected
On Sunday, April 6, 2025, I attended a late afternoon rally by members of Chicago’s Ukrainian Community. Their focus was Putin’s decision to murder nine children two days earlier in Kryviv Rih, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.
Funding for Ukraine
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, I attended a fundraiser for the Ukrainian military at Le Piano, a jazz club located in Chicago’s Rogers Park. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening of fun and music.
'Tesla Takedown'
Last Saturday, 250 people marched to the Gold Coast Tesla store to call out Elon Musk, DOGE, and Donald J. Trump. Here are my thoughts about and images from this demonstration.
Women Hit the Streets
On Saturday, March 8, 2025, I attended Chicago’s celebration of International Women’s Day in Daley Plaza. Fifteen hundred demonstrators turned out. After several speeches, the demonstrators marched to Trump Tower for obvious reasons. Here are my thought about and images from the day’s events
Are You Wearing a Suit?
Chicago’s Ukrainian Community scheduled an emergency march and rally following the Oval Office dress down of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who actually was stylishly attired in his battle fatigues. I was not going to miss the Sunday rally at Jane Bryne Plaza, followed by the march to Daley Plaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Honoring the Dead
Ten years ago, on February 27, 2015, Vladimir Putin had the Russian physicist and politician, Boris Nemtsov assassinated within eyesight of the Kremlin. Today, Russian émigrés in Chicago, gathered in the Wrigley Building Plaza to commemorate Nemtsov’s death, as well as the deaths of other dissidents. Here are my thoughts about and images from the gathering.
Navalny, One Year Later
Sunday, February 16, 2025 marked the first anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death at the hands of Vladimir Putin’s regime. Chicago’s Russian Émigré Community marked the anniversary with a solemn memorial service. Here are my thoughts about and images from the service.
Independence Day
On Sunday, January 26, 2025, Ambassador William B. Taylor addressed Chicago’s Ukrainian Community at its annual Independence Day banquet at the Chicago Ukrainian Cultural Center. Here are my thoughts about and images from the banquet.
1000 Days
On November 19, 2024, Chicago’s Ukrainian Community commemorated the 1,000th day since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion against Ukraine on February 24, 2024. Community members gathered in the plaza outside the Wrigley Building for speeches and anthems, and then they marched north on Michigan Avenue to Jane Byrne Plaza (the location of Chicago’s historic Water Tower). Here are my thoughts about and images from this stirring rally and march.
Berlin In Chicago
Members of the Russian opposition to Vladimir Putin gathered in the plaza outside the Wrigley Building on November 17, 2024, taking part in a worldwide demonstration against Putin’s war in Ukraine. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally.
The Enemy Within
Today, members of Russian’s émigré community, commemorated those who were killed by Joseph Stalin during the Great Purge/Great Terror (1936-38). Known as the Return of Names, this annual commemoration is particularly relevant to Americans this year, as presidential candidate Donald J. Trump, tosses the phrase “The Enemy Within” around during his speeches. Here are my thoughts about and images from this small, but important ceremony.
Ukrainians Back At It
Chicago’s Ukrainian Community staged a demonstration in Lincoln Park, demanding that Russia release the Azovstal Defenders who are currently imprisoned. Not surprisingly, the U.S. Presidential Election cast a long and dark shadow over the event. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
IMTS Protest
Members of Chicago's Ukrainian Community demonstrated outside McCormick Place at the International Manufacturing Technology Show on Monday, expressing their concern that some products manufactured by companies exhibiting at the show are finding their way to the Russian defense industry. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Independence Day
On Saturday, Chicago's Ukrainian Community celebrated Ukrainian Independence Day outside the Ukrainian Cultural Center. The war dead were honored, several community leaders spoke, and Ukrainian tweens reprised last year's K-pop performance. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day's celebration.
DNC Dispatch 3
On Sunday, August 18, 2024, a coalition of groups rallied and demonstrated before the first day of the 2024 Democratic Convention under the Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws moniker. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.
Burned Alive
Chicago’s Ukrainian Community came together today for another demonstration in front of the Wrigley Building. The group staged some arresting street theater with a simulated immolation of three Ukrainian men—the victims of unbridled Russian aggression. Here are my thoughts about and observations from the rally and march.
OKHMATDYT Bombing
Chicago’s Ukrainian Community gathered in the Wrigley Building Plaza just hours after Russia bombed Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital—about as close to a just-in-time demonstration as can you can get. It was an impressive showing. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and subsequent march that drew over 500 people on a muggy summer evening.