Encampment teardown, SGA voting, and cicadas re-emerge
Plus, Lady Gaga to release a concert film
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! We’ve got a good one for you today. It’s your newsletter team — Alexandra, Audrey, Ella, Sam, Emily and Elizabeth — back with another exciting edition to start off your Monday night!
Last Thursday, May 16 at 5:30 a.m. DePaul University called in the Chicago Police Department and campus Public Safety to dismantle the encampment on the Quad in wake of its 17th day. 14 East reporter’s were on the scene, and we have included a roundup of the events that took place that day. In other DePaul news, voting for the Student Government Association opens Monday, May 20 and will run through May 28. Make sure to keep an eye out, ballots will be sent out via student email! In Chicago news, it’s cicada season in the city. With temperatures warming up, 17-year cicadas are emerging from the ground.
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CPD, DePaul Public Safety Tear Down Encampment on the Quad
DePaul University called in CPD and Campus Public Safety at 5:30 a.m. to dismantle the ongoing encampment on the Lincoln Park Campus. Two students were arrested for obstructing traffic, said CPD Chief of Patrol Jon Hein.
By Alexandra Murphy
Hailey Bosek contributed to this story.
On Thursday morning, DePaul University called in the Chicago Police Department and DePaul Public Safety to dismantle the ongoing pro-Palestinian encampment on the Quad at 5:30 a.m after its 17th day on campus.
Protestors say officers arrived wearing protective gear, knocking on tents with batons and pushing everyone back from the encampment to exit on the side of Belden Avenue.
Organizers also explained that from the time they were informed about the raid until they had to leave, they had less than five minutes to gather their belongings.
DePaul University President Robert L. Manuel sent an email around the same time at 5:34 a.m. to faculty, staff and students announcing the encampment takedown, stating: “Since the encampment began, DePaul has taken great care to provide the greatest leeway possible for free expression. However, the expression of some has now led to the disruption of university operations, interference with student learning, and safety threats to individuals and the public.”
The email also said one of the main reasons CPD was called in was because “the situation has escalated with physical altercations, credible threats of violence from people not associated with our community, an inability for the other members of our community to take part in the core academic experiences on our campus, and an ever-growing series of threats to the people involved in the encampment and our community members.”
Henna Ayesh, the media spokesperson for Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at DePaul University, said organizers of the DePaul Divestment Coalition were not given prior warning by the university administration before CPD and Public Safety went in and cleared the encampment and removed students’ belongings.
“They were pushing people out of their tents, and they got all the students to come out forcibly onto the street,” Ayesh said. “When they got all the tenants to come out onto the streets, if they were without belongings, they didn’t give them the chance to go back and even grab it.”
Shortly after CPD removed protestors from the Quad, DePaul crews could be seen cleaning up the encampment and large garbage trucks were brought in to dispose of tents and belongings. Other crew members later in the day were seen ripping off signage from the front gates.
The clearing of the encampment follows the Office of the President sending out an email last Saturday, announcing the university had reached an “impasse” in negotiations with the DePaul Divestment Coalition, saying responses to the encampment have “inadvertently created public safety issues that put our community at risk.”
After CPD and Public Safety had completed emptying the Quad, the Office of the President sent out another email which included a detailed explanation of why the university decided to bring in CPD and Public Safety to clear out the encampment on DePaul’s campus. The email included a link to an accumulation of photos and videos of items that were deemed a threat found in the encampment, along with some complaints from neighbors about the ongoing encampment.
On the website, the university also said there were over 625 registered complaints from neighbors and community members and 425 registered complaints from students, faculty and staff and parents.
At DePaul, in a press conference, Chief of Patrol Officer Jon Hein said CPD came in at the university’s request, saying they had been asked to “assist in the removal of the encampment.” Hein also confirmed two people were arrested for obstruction of traffic, one male and one female student.
“One of the students was wearing the hijab and the police took it off,” Ayesh alleged in response to the encampment arrests. “And she’s now arrested. Both of them are arrested. They weren’t doing anything.” There is video evidence of this incident, however 14 East doesn’t have access to the video. Both students have since been released, according to an Instagram post by the DePaul Divestment Coalition.
After the campus raid, students traveled in a large group across the street to the Mobil gas station on Fullerton, where they continued to hold signs and chant until around 1 p.m. There was heavy police presence throughout the day, with CPD lined up on bikes in front of the group of protestors and some who stood next to the DePaul Quad into the late afternoon.
DePaul University’s encampment was first set up on April 30, when eight DePaul student organizations set up an encampment demanding that DePaul University be transparent with students about their investments, as well as divest from and cut ties with Israel. The organizations included the Student Government Association, Movimiento Estudiantil de Solidaridad y Apoyo, Black Student Union, Native American and Indigenous Student Association, Students for Justice in Palestine at DePaul University, Jews for Justice, Students Against Incarceration, and Southwest Asian and North African Student Association.
DePaul’s encampment was the last standing in the city of Chicago and the second-longest lasting across the country, surpassing the one at the University of Chicago, which had been disbanded by police after a week.
To read the full story of what took place on Thursday, go to 14 East Magazine’s website here.
DePaul News
By Aidan Piñon and Audrey Leib
Voting opens for Student Government Association representatives
Voting opens Monday, May 20 for the Student Government Association’s (SGA) Spring election. Running through May 28, ballots will be sent out via email, and students can cast votes for candidates using their CampusConnect credentials. In addition to candidate elections, the 2024 ballot will include a referendum asking students if they believe the administration should disclose its investment portfolio. Applications opened April 22 for students interested in serving as SGA representatives throughout the 2024-2025 term. On May 16 at 6 p.m., a ‘Meet the Candidates’ event was hosted virtually, during which attendees asked prospective representatives about initiatives, what they plan to do with their roles and other related information. “What’s really important for this specific election is that we have the cabinet positions being elected – president, vice president and treasurer,” Chair of the Election Operations Board (EOB), Masum Taqvi said. “The president and vice president are only elected in the spring quarter. They are essential to SGA and how SGA will operate.” Election results will be published to the DePaul community on May 29. Find out more about the voting dates and deadlines here.
DePaul students named Graphic Design USA’s students to watch
DePaul was recently named one of Graphic Design USA’s top design schools of 2024, which highlights a variety of different schools and programs that prepare students for creative careers in the world. GDUSA also selects schools on the basis of objective and subjective factors from relationships with designers, educators, hiring managers, etc. In addition to featuring DePaul’s program, the GDUSA also included two DePaul graphic design students Liam Guirtan and Magda Wilhelm on the 2024 list of graphic design students to watch. The graphic design program at DePaul prepares students to use a range of design practices and also offers opportunities for networking and partnerships. To find out more about the program, DePaul Newsline has more here.
DePaul Pro-Palestine encampment commemorates Nakba Day with rally
DePaul University’s Quad on Wednesday was filled with more than 200 students and community members to stage a walkout and rally. Speakers from the crowd focused attention on Nakba Day, a commemoration of the forced removal of more than 700,000 Palestinians from their homes on May 15, 1948 to establish the state of Israel. In Arabic, Nakba is “the catastrophe.” Members of the rally shared the meaning of Nakba, providing definitions and reminding the crowd, “we’re here to learn.” Keffiyehs were spotted on protestors, as well as waving Palestinian flags and signs with slogans like “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.” Dogs and children of the community were a part of the crowd. Speakers commented on the Palestinian Liberation movement’s connection to other social movements like the struggles of undocumented immigrants, Jewish people and climate change. “I am here on Nakba Day to remind everyone that ‘Never Again’ isn’t just a quippy slogan to put on a sign or the back of a shirt,” said Owen, a DePaul graduate student representing Jews for Justice. “It holds weight.” Isabel Funk of the Chicago Sun Times has more here.
Chicago Headlines
By Ella McCoy
Cicadas re-emerge in Chicago – The warmer temperatures are luring the 17-year cicadas out from underground. Some far South Side residents have seen the insects for the first time since 2007. These large insects often appear on lawns and leaves, making their presence apparent through the carcasses they leave and their signature incessant humming. Though some Chicago residents are preparing for a cicada invasion, cities a few hours south of Chicago will experience a larger presence of cicadas. In central Illinois cities like Springfield and Champaign, the 13-year and 17-year cicadas will emerge simultaneously. According to Maureen Turcatel, collections manager of insects at the Field Museum, “This year, the convergences will overlap, and that only happens every 221 years.” Turcatel added, “They’re harmless to humans. They don’t bite. They don’t stain. They’re just loud.” Gwen Inhat and Crystal Paul from Block Club Chicago have more on the cicada re-emergence.
Chicago Bears raise season ticket prices – The Bears have reduced their amount of home games included in the season-ticket, since one of their “home” games is being held in London this year. However, the price of season tickets have been raised. The Bears sent an email to their season ticket holders that claimed their season ticket prices only raised “6.2% to 11.3%.” However, many season-ticket holders report a higher percentage of increase of the prices and feel that the email was misleading. The raise in season-ticket prices is not unusual, since higher season-ticket prices have been reported by many teams. Even the Carolina Panthers, the worst performing team last season, have raised their season-ticket prices. Michael Johnson from WGN News has more.
Dinos Alive exhibit to open in Logan Square – A new immersive exhibit is making its way to Chicago. Dinos Alive incorporates 80 life-size animatronic dinosaurs, a virtual reality simulation, and crafts. This exhibit is hosted by the Exhibition Hub in Logan Square and opens May 21. It runs until July 27. John Zaller, a curator, distributor and Exhibition Hub’s executive director said that the purpose of the exhibit is to send visitors, “back in time to the Mesozoic Era when dinosaurs ruled the planet.” Zaller also worked on Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which allowed visitors to experience the work as if they were inside of it. The Dinos Alive exhibit is separated into the periods that dinosaurs were alive, and visitors have the opportunity to learn about the dinosaurs they encounter. Zaller comments that, “The content we have in the show also is very educational. So with every dinosaur, there’s information about that dinosaur.” The creators of this exhibit aim to create a space for all ages by providing a craft section for children. There is also food, drinks, alcohol and merchandise for sale. Leen Yassine from Block Club Chicago has more.
Brother of convicted businessman James Weiss pleads guilty to lying to the FBI and the IRS – Joseph Weiss, brother to convicted businessman James Weiss, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and the IRS about his brother’s ties to deceased Chicago mobster Frank “The German” Schweihs. Last October the charges against Joseph Weiss, which detailed the alleged ties between James Weiss and the Schweihs were made public just a few days before James Weiss was going to be sentenced. When prosecutors tried to bring up ties to the Schweihs in James Weiss’ case last October, U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger refused to consider it. James Weiss adamantly denied any connection with Schweihs, citing their difference in age — Schweihs died at age 78 in 2008 and James Weiss is 45. Jon Seidel from Sun-Times has the story.
Pro-Palestine protesters gather at 18th district police station – Dozens of Pro-Palestine protesters calling on Illinois to divest from Israel united in River North on Saturday. They also were protesting on the grounds of seeking justice for those wrongfully convicted in Illinois. The Coalition to March on the DNC, a group of several organizations rooted in social justice, organized the protest. The protesters connected people who have been wrongfully convicted and the Palestinian people, citing that both groups are affected by the same system of racism and oppression. Protesters also called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to filter through the executive clemency petitions faster so that more wrongfully convicted people can be freed. The group’s original plan was to march to the governor’s home in Gold Coast, but the police redirected them. Emmanuel Camarillo from Sun-Times has more.
National Headlines
By Sam Freeman
Senate will vote again on border deal – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer plans to go forward with a second vote on a bipartisan border enforcement bill that was killed earlier this year by Senate Republicans at the instruction of Donald J. Trump. While the bill is sure to be blocked again, Democrats hope to leverage it to separate themselves from the G.O.P. on a critical issue that polls show is a major liability for President Biden. Democrats plan to show voters that they tried to control migration at the U.S. border with Mexico, but Republicans are repeatedly thwarting their attempts at the direction of Trump. In a statement from the White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre said, “We strongly support this legislation and call on every senator to put partisan politics aside and vote to secure the border.” The bill would make it more difficult to gain asylum in the United States, and it would increase detentions and deportations of those crossing without authorization. It also allows the border to close if the average number of migrants exceeds a certain threshold. Luke Broadwater from The New York Times has more information.
Sean Combs apologizes after video released that appears to show assault — Sean “Diddy '' Combs apologized on Sunday after a video was released, showing him beating his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The video was obtained and published by CNN on Friday. It allegedly shows Combs grabbing, kicking and throwing Ventura in a hotel hallway. CNN reported that the video was taken at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City on March 5, 2016. Parts of the video appear to match the accusations of physical and sexual assault made by Ventura in a civil lawsuit against Combs last year. A day after she filed the lawsuit, Ventura reached a settlement with Combs. In his apology, Combs said, “It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was f----- up — I mean, I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses." John Helton from NPR has more information.
Pro-Palestinian protesters set up another encampment at Drexel Univeristy – Over the weekend, Pro-Palestinian protesters set up a new encampment at Drexel University in Philadelphia, just one day after authorities shut down an attempted occupation of a school building at the University of Pennsylvania. Around 60 protesters gathered at the campus’s Korman Quad on Sunday, according to Drexel President John Fry. In his statement, Fry added that the university was speaking with protesters, many of whom are not affiliated with the school, to end the protest. Fry’s efforts to end the protest involve communication with local officials and Philadelphia police to ensure campus safety “and the continued operations of our academic and research endeavors.” The encampment comes after several hundred demonstrators marched from Philadelphia’s City Hall to west Philadelphia on Saturday. Ron Todt of the Associated Press has more information.
Nuns at Benedictine College denounce Harrison Butler’s commencement speech — In a commencement speech at Benedictine College last week, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker told women to embrace the “vocation” of homemaker while also denouncing abortion rights and Pride Month. Since then, an order of nuns affiliated with the college put out a statement that says they don’t believe his comments reflect the values at Benedictine College. "Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division," they wrote. "One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman.” The Benedictine sisters of Mount St. Scholastica founded a school for girls in Atchinson in the 1860s; it later merged with St. Benedict’s College in 1971, creating Benedictine College. John Helton from NPR has the story.
14 East Pueblo: 52nd Anniversary of Fiesta Del Sol
By Emily Figueroa
The Fiesta del Sol is returning to Chicago for the 52nd time this year from July 25 to 28. The festival is hosted by the Pilsen Neighbors Community Council and it combines culture, food and music.
Organizers claim this event to be the biggest Latino festival in the Midwest with free admission. It’s located at 1400 W Cermak Rd. and the festival expands across eight blocks. Attendees can expect carnival rides, local food vendors, artisans and traditional music.
To have unlimited access to carnival rides during the festival, four-day passes are available for purchase starting at $55. Visit the Fiesta del Sol for updates on this community event.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Elizabeth Gregerson
On May 29 2020, Lady Gaga released her sixth album, Chromatica. The album’s release came two months after the COVID-19 pandemic began spreading in the United States and required all of us to stay home.
A mixture of pop, electronic and house music plus collaborations with Blackpink, Ariana Grande and Elton John — the album was like a shot of serotonin during such a difficult moment in time. The album tour, The Chromatica Ball, was delayed twice because of the pandemic but was eventually able to run during the summer of 2022.
Now, four years after Chromatica entered the world, Lady Gaga is releasing the concert film Gaga Chromatica Ball. Directed and produced by Lady Gaga herself, the film will premiere on the streaming service Max this Saturday, May 25 at 7 P.M. CST.
According to Variety, the footage used for Gaga Chromatica Ball was filmed at a September 2022 Los Angeles’s Dodger Stadium tour stop. Not much else has been reported about the film, but we do know Gaga performed songs outside of the Chromatica album on the Chromatica Ball tour, including “Bad Romance,” “Just Dance” and “Poker Face.”
A Sun Times review of The Chromatica Ball’s stop at Wrigley Field said that the concert was full of “cosplay, fetishism, alien-esque neo futurism, Dada theatrics and a flipbook of highly-produced video vignettes,” adding the “herculean effort of costuming, choreography, lighting and set design that will go down as one of her career best.”
Draw on your thickest eyeliner, put your hair in a high pony and grab some sour candy to watch Gaga Chromatica Ball this Saturday night on Max.
Resources
Need resources regarding cooling centers, rental assistance, abortion access, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s it for today! See you next Monday.
The 14 East Newsletter Team