There’s more freezing cold today but relief is coming, Chicago. Today we bring you more stories from our Firsthand: Peacekeepers project and other top stories from WTTW News.
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Muslimatic University digital creator Kanoya Ali. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
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A YouTube video shows a group of men laying out prayer rugs while kids play in the courtyards of the Parkway Gardens housing complex on the South Side — an area known as O-Block.
“We’re worshipping God … that’s why we’re over here in O-Block to let the people know that these ain’t bad dudes over here, they worship God,” Saddiq Ali with Muslimatic University says to the camera. “Muslims Praying in OBlock for OBlock” has more than 83,000 views and hundreds of supportive comments.
In the negative stories about the area, there was an opportunity to “show a view of these brothers in a better light,” said Konoya Ali, who created The Chi Podcast channel that posted the video. He is the digital creator for Muslimatic University, whose members are featured in it.
What they do:
For the past four years, Muslimatic University has utilized Instagram to “push peace with prayer”: videos of men praying in the neighborhood or of people taking shahada, the Islamic profession of faith. Ali said this social media push works as an anti-violence campaign — young people will come to the masjid and seek mentorship in other attendees.
Forrest Stuart, professor of sociology and director of the ethnography lab at Stanford University, spent several years shadowing a gang on the South Side of Chicago. In 2022, he released a study that found social media allows outside people to observe others’ online behavior and try to influence relationships in a way that can prevent and reduce violence.
“Research on the integration of social media in outreach work has shown how youth workers use communication visibility to bridge intergenerational gaps and gain a more holistic picture of at-risk youths that attends to risk factors, expressions of emotional state and prosocial interests,” the study states.
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Glassblower Nae-Nae McGee rolls molten glass attached to a rod. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
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The art of glassblowing also offers a source of community for participants at Project FIRE, who also share something else in common. Each has been affected by trauma or violence, and they find healing in programs at Firebird Community Arts. Pearl Dick is co-founder and artistic director of Project FIRE, which began in 2015. She said it’s a collaborative effort: Project FIRE partners closely with community partner Healing Hurt People Chicago.
“Healing Hurt People Chicago do hospital-based trauma intervention,” Dick said. “So when somebody’s injured and ends up in a hospital, they have trauma intervention specialists meet with them and offer follow-up care, and one of the options they have is us.”
Project FIRE works mostly with young adults, and they hold workshops with groups such as Embarc Chicago, an education model that provides experiential learning. They have glassblowing classes available to anyone who is interested.
“It’s creative and inclusive,” Dick said. “It’s a place where people can come and feel safe. It provides a space where folks who don’t have options for a safe space can come and be a part of a community.” This summer, Firebird Community Arts will break ground on a new building nearby that will quadruple their space. The opening is planned for 2026.
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People gather at downtown’s Federal Plaza on Feb. 18, 2025 to push back on President Donald Trump’s sweeping efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
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Over 200 people rallied in downtown’s Federal Plaza on Tuesday afternoon to push back on President Donald Trump’s sweeping efforts to cut government spending and reduce the size of the federal workforce.
The rally was hosted by the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704, a union that represents about 1,000 EPA employees across the Midwest, and the Federal Unionist Network, an informal association of federal union members and allies.
In an executive order signed last Tuesday, Trump told agency leaders to plan for “large-scale reductions” after an initial attempt to downsize the workforce last month — the voluntary buyout — was accepted by only 75,000 workers. The mass firings are being led in collaboration with billionaire Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency.
The administration ordered federal agencies to lay off probationary employees, who generally have less than one year on the job and have not yet qualified for civil service protections.
Nicole Smith, one of those laid off employees, spoke at the rally:
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More From WTTW News
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Mayor Brandon Johnson has made his 11th and final appointment to Chicago’s new hybrid Board of Education: Cydney Wallace, who serves on the board of directors for the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, has been named the 21st member of the new school board.
Are you a federal worker in Illinois? WTTW News wants to hear from you.
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Back in the Day: February 19, 2015 - President Obama Names Pullman Historic District a National Monument
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On this day 10 years ago, President Barack Obama flew to Chicago to sign a proclamation making Pullman Historic District a National Monument and part of the National Parks Service. "This site is at the heart of what would become America’s Labor Movement — and as a consequence, at the heart of what would become America’s middle class," Obama said in his speech marking the designation. "And bit by bit, we expanded this country’s promise to more Americans. But too many still lived on the
margins of that dream." The district is where the Pullman Company, one of the most infamous company towns in the United States, was located and scene of the tumultuous 1894 Pullman strike.
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Local Live Music Recommendations for Feb. 19- Feb. 25
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Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Thursday, February 20:
Ava Brennan, Park Hills Circle, Hannah Frey at Judson and Moore. Tickets.
Three local women showcase their excellent songwriting at the Avondale distillery.
Natural Information Society, Zosha Warpeha at Constellation. Tickets.
This experimental jazz show is part of Constellation’s week-long Frequency Festival.
Justice Hill & Nightime Love, Alysha Monique at Hideout. Tickets.
The Chicago producer and keyboardist makes vibrant and soulful pop music.
Saturday, February 22:
Music Frozen Dancing: Egyptian Lover, BIB, Landowner, Double Over, Clickbait and more at Empty Bottle. Free.
Music Frozen Dancing is the Ukrainian Village mainstay’s annual outdoor music festival. It’s a blast and the weather this weekend looks great for it. Bundle up though
Horsegirl, Lifeguard, Answering Machines at Metro. Tickets.
An all-local lineup featuring headliners celebrating the release of their new LP “Phonetics On and On.”
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Do you believe in Chicago's 'dibs' tradition? Why or why not?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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