What started as a single exercise to get me out of my comfort zone has grown into a regular gig photographing protests here in Chicago. Over the past two years, I have improved my skills dramatically, I have found the courage to photograph people unapologetically, I have claimed the authority to record what is going on out in the streets, I have befriended a handful of photographers who are doing the same thing as I am, and I have learned a LOT about people, politics, and propaganda.

We are about to embark on what is likely to be a crazy timeline to be living through (as if the past four + years haven’t already been insane!) as we count down the days to the 2024 presidential election.

Biden has visited Chicago, I don’t know, maybe four times in the past year. All have been fundraisers at swanky penthouses, condos, and hotels. And all visits were met with huge protests chanting “Genocide Joe has got to go!” 

Here are some photos from some of those.

Then I had an opportunity to attend a Trump rally! Ever since he announced he was running, I have been watching his website for a rally to be scheduled nearby. But I also knew that he would be wasting time and resources coming to Illinois, and he would never come to Chicago. So when I saw he would be in Racine, Wisconsin, only an hour and a half drive from my apartment, I headed out. You can read about my experience HERE.

What’s next?

The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

I made the decision to attend when I knew the Democratic National Convention would be held in Chicago. While everyone I know here is making plans to leave town August 19-22, I will be running towards the fire. The rhetoric here in Chicago regarding what will happen that week has been pretty over-the-top, and at times intimidating, which of course is the point. 

Not only that, but there is an organization here that is demanding the DNC be canceled. I have attended some of their protests. And they have a point. A big complaint is the amount of money that has been and will be spent on this convention, money that could and should be spent on resources for people here who are in poverty and for infrastructure. With so much crime and empty storefronts, we have no business entertaining “Genocide Joe” and other corrupt politicians. I can’t say I disagree.

Another area of contention has to do with the groups who plan to protest during the convention. The claim is that the First Amendment ensures the right to protest, and that protesters have the right to be within sight and within hearing of that which they are protesting. I am not sure where this “right” comes from, but this has been very controversial here. The city has been rejecting certain protest permits, and it has been approving others at sites miles away from the United Center, where the convention is being held. Multiple lawsuits have been filed both locally and federally. And the organization who represents all protesters, March on the DNC, lost its fight. Needless to say, the protesting groups are threatening to ignore the permit limitations.

I should also note that the March on the RNC working in Milwaukee has come against the same judgements, and the protesters are equally angry about the distance from the convention venue they have been permitted to protest.

So I decided that I would head up to Milwaukee, which I don’t think is going to be anywhere near as volatile as Chicago will be (for a number of reasons). I am hoping that will serve as good practice for me since I really don’t know what to expect.

I won’t be inside either convention centers, but that is fine. That isn’t where the story I want to witness will be told. But I did get press passes from both the March on the RNC and the March on the DNC, so I will have access to all of the information about the protests, their times, and their locations as well as bios on the speakers and a front row seat.

Anyway, I am writing this today to let you know that I will be keeping an online journal here on my blog on my experience at both of the conventions leading up to this insane 2024 presidential election. History will definitely be made, and I am grateful that I will be witness to what happens.

I am also hoping to post daily (that might be ambitious, but I’ll try!) photo albums on Facebook, and I will include links to those on my daily updates. 

So if you’re interested in following this journey, be sure to FOLLOW this blog!

See you soon!