On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered at Chicago’s lakefront to mourn the late Palestinian writer, poet, professor and activist Refaat Alareer. The event was a moment of protest, poetry and remembrance, organized by Chicago-based friends of Dr. Alareer and local movement artists. Originally conceived of as a small gathering, the vigil drew hundreds of attendees, who filled the concrete steps along the lake at Chicago’s Montrose Harbor Moonrise Observation Point. Kite-shaped signs were scattered throughout the crowd, while some attendees held electric candles amid a thick winter fog. A kite-shaped shrine featured the words of Alareer’s now-famous poem, “If I Must Die,” beside a table where attendees wrote words of love and solidarity on ribbons which were linked together to make a kite tail.
Since October 7, 2023, at least 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office. Within that number, over 80 Palestinian storytellers have been killed. Dr. Refaat’s death has been eulogized all over the world by artists and activists, particularly with stunning visuals of decorated, handmade kites and kite flying — all in an ode to one of his last poems posted online, “If I Must Die.”
During the event, Alareer’s friends spoke of his mentorship, his love of Palestine, and his sense of humor. From the encouraging words Alareer offered to a young friend, who had lost the will to write poetry, to jokes he made with his colleagues about the world needing more freedom and more pizza, attendees heard stories that allowed us to feel both the ongoing presence and heart wrenching absence of a man who was a beloved thinker, writer and friend.
Organizers had planned to honor Alareer’s life and words by flying kites that had been constructed in his memory. As organizer Christine Irvine told me, “As we fight for the living in Palestine, we wanted to also be in community together to remember and uplift the voices of those lost, particularly Dr. Refaat Alareer and all storytellers who have been targeted, silenced, and martyred.” Irvine explained that organizers were inspired by Alareer’s poetry to fly kites in his memory. “We honor over 90 Palestinian journalists, poets, and writers killed in Gaza so their words will live on through us, strengthening our resolve and commitment to fight for a free Palestine,” Irvine said.
While kites were constructed for the event, there was no wind on Chicago’s lakefront Saturday. There was an unusually heavy fog in the air, blurring the horizon between the lake and the sky. The artists,........