Category Archives: Chicago
Quinn Signs New Bill that gives Epilepsy Patients Access to Medical Marijuana
Soon adults and children with epilepsy will gain access to the use of medical marijuana in Illinois under a law signed on July 20 by Governor Pat Quinn. This new law, SB 2636, is the latest in a series of governmental measures that loosen restrictions on cannabis in U.S. states.
Thousands of Chicagoans March for Palestine
On Sunday, July 20th, thousands of Chicagoans gathered downtown to protest recent events related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. While there is no exact figure on the number of attendees, estimates run as conservatively as 2,000 to as enormous as 10,000 and is arguably the largest Palestinian protest in Chicago to date. Marchers convened along Upper Wacker Drive for the start of the protest. After weaving through downtown, they concluded their march at the intersection of Madison and Canal near Chicago’s Israeli consulate. Throughout the march, chants and songs could be heard resonating within the vicinity of downtown. While there were numerous organizations, individuals, and voices, they all marched for the same cause—an end to the violence in Palestine.
Chicago Activists Protest ‘Bomb Trains’ Carrying Oil through Local Neighborhoods
Local activists and environmental groups recently held protests to spotlight their concern that “bomb trains” carrying highly volatile crude oil could be traveling through densely populated Chicagoland neighborhoods.
New law puts African-Americans in charge of minority-focused programs
A new legislation will put African-Americans in charge of minority-focused programs. Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) proposed a bill, SB 121, allowing African-Americans to be included in the planning process and development of minority programs.
OP/ED: Investment in Community Service has the Greatest Return during Ramadan
By Saher Khan
Last summer, I spent Ramadan in Saudi Arabia. The stop lights in Jedah were filled with people handing out bags of food to those driving by. The streets of Mecca were flooded with children handing bread to whomever crossed their path. In the city of Medina, we were ushered into the mosque where strangers innocuously competed to be the first to feed us. It seemed as if the Saudis were so generous that ironically, not a soul went hungry during the month of Ramadan.
Chicago & the World Protest Collective Punishment of Palestinians
Over 1000 people from a coalition of Chicagoland Palestinians, along with members of student, faith-based, human rights and social justice groups, turned out for a rally and march last Saturday to demand an end to collective punishment of Palestinians and demand justice for all Palestinians killed in the Israeli Army’s “Operation Brother’s Keeper”. Chicago was joined by similar protests in more than 40 cities world-wide including Washington DC, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Seattle, Dearborn, Brooklyn, Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston, Houston, Denver, New Orleans, Philadelphia, London, Galway, Paris, Brussels, Melbourne, and Madrid. Now with the launch a few hours ago of “Operation Protective Edge” against Gaza, global protests may soon be returning to the streets.
Fasting, the Key To Power
Fasting is an old ritual observed in many cultures, traditions, and religions, including but not limited to, Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism. People in different traditions do it for many reasons, some of which, spiritual growth, reconnect with God to seek his blessings, and to be able to achieve self-control.
Neighborhood Groups File Lawsuit to Stop Children’s Memorial Hospital Redevelopment
Two neighborhood groups in Lincoln Park filed a lawsuit last Monday targeting the redevelopment of the Children’s Memorial Hospital site.
Muslims are no more terrorists than Chicagoans are violent
As of today, there have been 940 shooting victims in the city of Chicago. Last year, there were 2185 victims of gun violence. Combined, that is more victims than those who perished on 9/11, and that is only for about 18 months. Gun violence in the city has gotten so bad that, earlier this year, the city was nicknamed “Chiraq.” Ouch.
Trauma Center Coalition protests University of Chicago for Trauma Center
The Trauma Center Coalition, a group of students, pastors, doctors, mothers and community residents, are protesting the University of Chicago in order to bring an adult trauma center closer to the southside.
