On Saturday morning, August 9, Chicago’s Iranian Shia Community held a Arbaeen Shia Procession, which started in Daley Plaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the three-hour long event.
Weiss Memorial Closed
The Uptown Community learned this week that Weiss Memorial Hospital would be closing its emergency room today because the Federal government would no longer reimburse it for services provided under Medicare and Medicaid. This afternoon, a group of thirty to 40 demonstrators gathered outside the hospital for a demonstration. Here are my thoughts and images from the demonstration.
Father Pfleger
Father Michael Pfleger took to the streets today on behalf of the Palestinians living in Gaze. The event had a much stronger religious tone than other pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally.
GazaPalooza
Today, I attended another pro-Palestinian demonstration; this one at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Upper Wacker Drive. The heritage Palestinians apparently chose this location because it provided maximum visibility to those headed to Lollapalooza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration and the march that followed.
AIPAC
On Thursday, July 10th, I covered a rally sponsored by Justice in Palestine outside the Chicago offices of AIPAC—the American Israel Public Affair Committee. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
Āshūrā
On Sunday, July 6, 2025, Chicago’s Shia Muslim Community observed Āshūrā (عَاشُورَاء) in Daley Plaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the commemoration of Husayn ibn Ali, the prophet Muhammad’s grandson.
Greatest Hits
The demonstrators came out today, starting in Chicago’s Federal Plaza with a rally, and then marching to the ICE Chicago Field offices and Trump Tower. Here are my thoughts about and monochromatic images from today’s Independence Day rally.
Cultural District
On July 1, 2025, Chicago’s Ukrainian Community celebrated Ukrainian Village’s recent designation as an Illinois State-Designated Cultural District. Here are my thoughts about and images from the celebration at the Ukrainian Cultural Center
Gone Mainstream
Chicago’s 54th Annual Gay Pride Parade rolled through Lakeview’s streets today. Here are my thoughts about and images from the parade.
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.
Too Hot
Last Saturday afternoon, a small group of Chicago’s Ukrainian Community gathered on Michigan Avenue to draw attention to the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continuing attacks on Ukrainian civilians. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
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.
World Refugee Day
Last Tuesday—June 17, 2025—I attended the annual World Refugee Day ceremony in Daley Plaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.
Blues Fest, Day 4
The 2025 Chicago Blues Festival went out with a bang tonight at the Pritzker Pavilion. Unfortunately, C.J. Chenier was scratched from the lineup due to an hour-long rain delay, but Lurrie Bell, Avery R. Young, and Mavis Staples did take the stage. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day’s performances.
Blues Fest, Day 3
Saturday brought an exciting days of Blues to Chicago’s Millennium Park as the 2025 Chicago Blues Festival kept churning out exciting music for the thousands who flooded the park today. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day’s festivities.
Blues Fest, Day 2
The 2025 Chicago Bluesfest opened its run in Chicago’s Millennium Park today. For me, the big name of the day was Christone “Kingfish” ingram who played during the B.B. Ing Centennial Tribute on the main stage at the Pritzker Pavilion. Tomorrow Kingfish is the headliner. Here are my thoughts about Kingfish’s and all the other often incendiary performances, together with my images.
Blues Fest, Day 1
The 2025 Chicago Bluesfest kicked off this evening at the Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport. The bill included 91-year-old living legend Bobby Rush, as well as Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues. Here are my thoughts about electrifying performances, together with my images from the evening.
Maxwell
My friend Maxwell died today. Here are a few thoughts about him and our bond, together with sketches and photographs from Evelyn, who was madly in love him.
Resilience
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
River North Escapades
Yesterday, I took a walk through Chicago’s River North neighborhood and along the Chicago River. Here are my thoughts about and the images from my stroll.