Amazingly, Chicago’s Ukrainian community took to the streets the same day that we learned that the Kakhovka dam had been destroyed. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration and march.
Russians
Selfie Time, and on a more serious note, a demonstration on behalf of Ukrainian children who have been kidnapped by the Russians, which was followed by a demonstration celebrating Alexei Navalny’s birthday. Here are my thoughts and images from today’s demonstrations.
Honoring Kian
Today, a number of families from Chicago’s Iranian community gathered in Grant Park to honor the memory of Kian Pirfalak, an Iranian boy who was shot to death by Iranian security forces responding to protests over the killing of Mahsa Amini. Here are my thoughts about and images from this demonstration.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is celebrated with speeches, wreath-laying ceremonies, and parades, but it is about a lot more. The memories can be painful. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from today’s Memorial Day celebrations in the City of Chicago.
Executions
Three men were executed in Iran this past Friday. Today, members of Chicago’s Iranian community gathered in Millennium Park for a demonstration followed by a march designed to highlight these and other executions of political prisoners by the Iranian authorities. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
The Assyrians
A small group of Assyrians demonstrated in Federal Plaza on May 19, 2023, asking the United States government for assistance in reclaiming their homelands. Unfortunately, the demonstrations was largely ineffective in advancing their cause. Here are my thoughts on the Assyrian cause, as well as on how they can improve the effectiveness of future efforts. Of course, I have included my images from the demonstration.
Azov (The Steel Mill)
I spent Mother’s Day with members of Chicago’s Ukrainian community, who were commemorating the Azov Steel Plant fighters. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Navalny
Earlier today, I attended a rally on Michigan Avenue in support of imprisoned dissident Alexei Navalny, imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and other political prisoners. Here are my thought about and images from this inspiring demonstration.
Bongbong Marcos
Following the May Day celebration in Union Park, I headed to the Office of the Consulate General of the Philippines where a demonstration was scheduled to protest the upcoming meeting between President Biden and President Bongbong Marcos of the Philippines. The demonstration placed a hot spotlight on some important foreign policy issues. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
May Day
On Saturday, i attended a early May Day celebration in Chicago’s Union Park on the near Westside. It rained early on, but the demonstrators were still spirited. Here are my thoughts on and images from the rally and march.
The Dalai Lama
I recently attended a demonstration by Chicago’s Tibetan protesting the portrayal of the Dalai Lama following a recent incident involving a young boy who the Dalai Lama kissed on the lips. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Mifepristone
Today I attended an abortion-rights march organized by Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Linda May Han Oh
Bassist Linda May Han Oh performed this past Saturday night at the Reva and David Logan Center for the arts with a group of top-flight jazz musicians. Here are my thoughts about and images about the evening.
Standing with Nashville
Indivisible Chicago organized a demonstration at Federal Plaza today in support of Tennessee Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pierson, as well as to draw attention to gun violence. Here are my images from and thoughts about the demonstration.
Charlie Kirk
Tonight I headed to the UIC Campus for a student demonstration opposing Far Right Firebrand Charlie Kirk’s and his right to speak. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
365 Days of War
I attended a Ukrainian rally and march commemorating the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The event was centered on 365 signs illustrating the the war’s cost. Here are my thoughts on and images from the event.
Protesting Anna Karenina
By my estimate 25 or so members of Chicago’s Ukrainian community gathered outside the Civic Opera House tonight to protest the Joffrey Ballet’s performance of a ballet based on Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. While the imagery was great, the message—a condemnation of all things Russian, including Leo Tolstoy—was less than pitch-perfect. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Aldana
Saxophonist Melissa Aldama looked to the stars for inspiration during her performance tonight, keeping evil Clotho at bay. Here are my thoughts about and images from the performance.
Tyre Nichols
Somewhere around 200 Chicagoans turned on a chilly Chicago evening to honor Tyre Nichols and other who have died at the hands of the police.
Slava Ukraini
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman was the keynote speaker at the 2023 Ukraine Unity Day commemoration, which was held at Chicago’s Ukrainian Cultural Center.