On Monday, May 26, 2025, I attended a Memorial Day ceremony at Chicago’s Vietnam War Memorial located along the Chicago Riverwalk. Here are my thoughts about and images from what turned into a powerful anti-Trump demonstration.
All tagged War
A Star Is Born
For the second year in a row, pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched down Chicago’s Magnificent Mile on Black Friday. Today’s star was Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, a member of the anti-Zionist group, Neturei Karta. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
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.
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.
SAIC Walkout
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, students at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago held a demonstration, demanding that the Art Institute cut its ties with the Crown Family because the family still holds a significant interest in General Dynamics, a manufacturer of bombs used by the Israeli Defense Forces in the war against Hamas. Here are my thoughts about and images from the spirited demonstration.
Trump At The Fairmont
On Columbus Day, former President spoke to the Economics Club of Chicago at the Fairmont Hotel. Chicago’s pro-Palestinian forces held a press conference outside the hotel, which drew more media than that 10 to 15 demonstrators who were present. Here are my thoughts about and images from the press conference and demonstration.
Marking One Year (IV)
The group, If Not Now, held a memorial service for those Israelis and Palestinians who were killed during the last year as a consequence of the attack by Hamas on October 7th and the subsequent Israeli military response. Here are my thoughts about and images from the memorial.
Marking One Year (I)
Chicago's Palestinian Community marked the first anniversary of the October 7th attack by Hamas with a demonstration at Jane Byrne Plaza, followed by a march northward that saw the demonstrators pass nearby Governor JB Pritzker's Gold Coast home. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.
"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.
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.
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.
Normalized
Today’s pro-Palestinian demonstration drew only 100 to 200 participants, evidence that the Saturday pro-Palestinian demonstrations have become normalized. Here are my thoughts about and images 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.
Happy 4th of July
On July 4th, members of Chicago Palestinian Community held a rally and march on Michigan Avenue demanding Palestinian independence. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration and march.
Calling Out Mondelēz
Members of Chicago’s Ukrainian Community held a rally outside the Wrigley Building on May 18, 2024, the location of Mondelēz International’s offices. The company is the maker of Oreo Cookies and Ritz Crackers, among other well-know snack foods. They continue to operate inside Russia, which is why the Ukrainians were demanding that Mondelēz put humanitarian concerns above profits. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and subsequent march.
DePaul U Aftermath
Today, I headed over to DePaul University after the Chicago Police Department cleared the Gaza Solidarity encampment in the Fullerton Avenue Quad. Here are my observations about and images from the event.
Palestinian Moms Speak
On Sunday morning, I attended a pro-Palestinian rally in Jane Byrne Park celebrating Mother’s Day. Here are my thoughts about and images from what was a textbook example of how a demonstration should be structured.
Flag Raising (Palestinian)
The Palestinian Community held a ceremonial flag raising in Daley Plaza on Saturday. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
Ukrainian Moms Speak
Chicago’s Ukrainian community commemorated Mother’s Day with a rally in Jane Byrne Park (location of the historic water tower). The moms were out with their kids, handing out flowers to shoppers on Michigan Avenue while pleading Ukraine’s case. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
Jammin' With Joe
President Joe Biden attended a campaign fundraiser at Chicago’s Palmer House late Thursday afternoon. Chicago’s pro-Palestinian forces took to the streets, letting ‘Genocide Joe’ know exactly what they think of him. Here are my thoughts about and images from an event that turned the downtown into a parking lot during evening rush hour.