The Columbia Chronicle
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Southeast Siders arrested while protesting for clean air: ‘We have nothing to lose anymore’
After protesting in the rain for at least two hours on Friday in demand of clean air, four Southeast Side activists were arrested in front of what they believed to be Chicago Department of Public Health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady’s home in Lincoln Park. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli
South Loop blues club Buddy Guy’s Legends reopens its doors after 17 months
Buddy Guy’s Legends feels quieter than usual, but with precautions in place, it’s finally back to having almost daily blues performances and dancing patrons after a year and a half of darkness. Story by Abra Richardson and Valentina Pucarelli. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
Chicago Inspector General report questions ShotSpotter’s value; ACLU concerned
After two months of Chicago community organizers campaigning against the use of ShotSpotter in Chicago, the city’s Office of Inspector General released a report in response to their concerns, ACLU raises concerns. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
Little Village community members demand a stop to surveillance of Black and Brown communities
Community activists are protesting against the city's use of ShotSpotter, the audio surveillance system that led police to 13-year-old Adam Toledo’s location the day he was shot and killed. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
‘The Color of Normal’: Art exhibition encourages reflection, hopes for post-pandemic future
What was originally supposed to be a portrait exhibition celebrating Chicago artists and community members has instead become an artistic experience that encourages visitors to reflect on the past, how the pandemic changed them and what may await them in the future. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
Día de los Muertos 2021: Honoring those who have died from COVID-19
Hundreds of people attend the Día de los Muertos Xicago event and put up ofrendas for their loved ones at Harrison Park. Story by Irvin Ibarra and Valentina Pucarelli. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
Little Village organizers call for justice for Adam Toledo and other victims of police shootings
More than two weeks after 13-year-old Little Village resident Adam Toledo was fatally shot by a Chicago police officer, protesters marched through the Logan Square neighborhood, calling for police reform. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
Columbia adjunct’s portrait of life with mental illness wins Chicago International Film Festival award
“Any Given Day” follows the lives of three subjects Byrne meets in a Cook County Mental Health Court probation program, shedding light on how the system treats them and also offering a glimpse into Byrne’s own personal mental health journey. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
The return of busking comes with more appreciation for street musicians
A small crowd forms for Chicago Traffic Jam’s performance on Michigan Avenue. Photo by K’Von Jackson.
A guide to Chicago’s urban farms
These farms also allow Chicago residents to connect with the land, see how their food is grown, engage with the gardening community of Chicago, support the local economy and find fresh fruits and vegetables at a low cost. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
Pomp and circumstances: Graduating seniors start ‘New Chapter’ with independent commencement
Columbia has not held an in-person commencement since 2019, as the pandemic brought a halt to the tradition. But that did not stop a group of graduating seniors and their families from celebrating together in their own independent ceremony. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
New Texas abortion law spurs action in Chicago and across the U.S
Thousands of people marching south on Dearborn Avenue for abortion justice on Oct. 2. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
Opinion: The key to preventing a future pandemic is in changing the way we treat animals
Going vegan has many benefits, one of them is preventing future pandemics. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
‘It’s an insult and an outrage’: Chicago takes action in response to Kyle Rittenhouse verdict
Chants of “no justice, no peace” flooded downtown on Saturday, in protest of the not guilty verdict delivered a day earlier in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. Photo by Shane Verkest.
South Side hunger strikers tell their story: ‘A fight for the right of every Chicagoan to breathe clean air’
After 25 days of hunger striking with Southeast, Southwest and South Side community members, Yesenia Chavez, an Olive-Harvey College student, addressed the crowd on March 4 in front of Grace United Methodist Church, describing her declining health in detail. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
Bon Pastries and Baked Goods: Building a business during a pandemic
Bonnie Shultz began a vegan pastries business as a full-time student in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.
Tattoo artists from around the world gather for Chicago’s largest tattoo convention
About 900 vendors, along with 1,500 local, national and international tattoo artists, came together for one of the largest events Chicago has seen since the beginning of the pandemic. Photo by Valentina Pucarelli.