Zareen Syed
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zareensyed.bsky.social
Zareen Syed
@zareensyed.bsky.social
chronically indecisive Chicago Tribune reporter usually writing a mix of education, food and stories centering underrepresented groups ✉️ zsyed@chicagotribune.com
I love this story! The Rich Goodwill is a very fun follow on Instagram
Claudia von Thrift, a popular influencer with almost one million followers and a compelling, has a thoughtful and even shocking purpose: She wants to show you what her rich neighbors throw out.
Her Rich Goodwill account is TikTok famous for the stuff she finds in Hinsdale’s trash
Claudia von Thrift doesn’t judge those who throw out new Crate & Barrel furniture. Her widely-followed social media accounts are about the joys of the treasure hunt.
trib.al
November 20, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
The Michelin Guide Northeast ceremony in Philadelphia on Tuesday night saw Chicago add a new one-star restaurant, Feld, and a two-star restaurant, Kasama, to its repertoire. The ceremony featured restaurants from Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Boston.
Michelin announces 2025 awards, and Chicago has new one-star and two-star restaurants
The Michelin Guide Northeast ceremony in Philadelphia on Tuesday night saw Chicago add a new one-star restaurant, and a two-star restaurant to its repertoire.
trib.al
November 19, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.

We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.

www.propublica.org/article/chic...
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
Chicago Public Schools Office of Inspector General is urging district officials to reform travel policies amid excessive spending on trips.
‘Excessive and even exorbitant’: CPS watchdog urges district to reform travel spending policies
Chicago Public Schools Office of Inspector General is urging district officials to reform travel policies amid excessive spending on trips.
trib.al
November 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
THE northern lights as seen above the pond in front of my house in the western suburbs. Unbelievable experience and one I won't ever get over. I hear we might see the storm again tonight?!
November 12, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
Dan Raskin, owner of Manny’s Deli in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood, said the restaurant initially planned to give away 100 meals a day, but it quickly jumped to 300 after customers started asking if they could donate to the cause.
With uncertainty surrounding SNAP, restaurants across Chicago are offering free meals to recipients
Dozens of restaurants across Chicago are handing out free meals to impacted individuals and families, at a time when many restaurants are struggling to survive amid intense immigration enforcement.
trib.al
November 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
When Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen posted on social media that they’d be handing out free meals to SNAP recipients starting Nov. 1, the line the next day started forming at 3 a.m. The deli doesn’t open until 8.
With uncertainty surrounding SNAP, restaurants across Chicago are offering free meals to recipients
Dozens of restaurants across Chicago are handing out free meals to impacted individuals and families, at a time when many restaurants are struggling to survive amid intense immigration enforcement.
trib.al
November 10, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
Oh my god. He's a BLUESKY ELDER
This labeller never misses
November 5, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Marcos Carbajal, owner of Carnitas Uruapan, is operating at a loss. Ambrocio Gonzalez of La Catedral Cafe said he won't let anyone in wearing a gator/ski mask. And a hospitality group is reporting a 35%-40% loss in sales since September. The restaurant industry has been hit from all sides. More:
ICE pushes Chicago restaurants in immigrant neighborhoods into survival mode: ‘We are dying a slow death’
The Tribune spoke to several restaurant owners about the impact of immigration enforcement on their businesses and on diners. The blow to foot traffic is widespread across the city, but was felt mo…
www.chicagotribune.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
Intense immigration enforcement continues to ripple across the Chicago area as part of the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz.” And the restaurant industry has been feeling the impact: Significantly fewer customers are dining in and businesses are operating at a loss.
ICE pushes Chicago restaurants in immigrant neighborhoods into survival mode: ‘We are dying a slow death’
The Tribune spoke to several restaurant owners about the impact of immigration enforcement on their businesses and on diners. The blow to foot traffic is widespread across the city, but was felt mo…
trib.al
November 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
At a growing number of cafes and restaurants in Chicago: 'Everyone is welcome, except I.C.E.' ✍️ my latest
Cafes, restaurants across Chicago put up signs barring immigration agents
For restaurant and cafe workers, many of whom are immigrants, the looming threat of unannounced visits by ICE has created anxiety and uncertainty about their future.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
"Everyone is welcome, except I.C.E." Cafes, restaurants across Chicago put up signs barring immigration agents. A story of the times from @zareensyed.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/14/c...
Cafes, restaurants across Chicago put up signs barring immigration agents
For restaurant and cafe workers, many of whom are immigrants, the looming threat of unannounced visits by ICE has created anxiety and uncertainty about their future.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
It’s a small, but mighty sign: “Everyone is welcome here, except I.CE.”

Chicago business owners are searching for ways to support and protect their staff. Solidarity signs have been a quieter approach to denouncing ICE.

📝 @zareensyed.bsky.social
Cafes, restaurants across Chicago put up signs barring immigration agents
For restaurant and cafe workers, many of whom are immigrants, the looming threat of unannounced visits by ICE has created anxiety and uncertainty about their future.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
October 8, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
HAPPENING NOW — This morning, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order establishing “ICE-free zones.”

“That means that city property and unwilling private businesses will no longer serve as grounds for these raids,” Johnson said to applause.

thetriibe.com/2025/10/mayo...
Mayor Brandon Johnson signs executive order establishing ‘ICE-free zones’ • The TRiiBE
Johnson is calling for a full investigation into “all of the brutality” that federal agents have conducted this past week.
thetriibe.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
Forty Acres Fresh Market in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood is an expansion of Liz Abunaw’s community-focused effort to offer fresh produce via home deliveries and pop-up markets.
Forty Acres Fresh Market, Chicago’s only Black-owned grocery store, is a new option for fresh food in Austin
Forty Acres Fresh Market in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood is an expansion of Liz Abunaw’s community-focused effort to offer fresh produce via home deliveries and pop-up markets.
trib.al
October 6, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Liz Abunaw, owner of Forty Acres, said her store is a business-driven approach, not an idealistic project to “solve hunger” in Austin. But it's addressing a gap in the market, intensified by the differences between Chicago neighborhoods and how those differences break down along racial lines.
Forty Acres Fresh Market, Chicago’s only Black-owned grocery store, is a new option for fresh food in Austin
Forty Acres Fresh Market in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood is an expansion of Liz Abunaw’s community-focused effort to offer fresh produce via home deliveries and pop-up markets.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
This video of Chicagoans intervening to save a man from being abducted off the streets by ICE is making the rounds on Instagram.

Community action works.

Source: www.instagram.com/reel/DPZL2AL...
October 5, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
NEWS: Trump is federalizing 300 National Guard troops in Illinois, Gov. Pritzker announced.
October 4, 2025 at 5:31 PM
30% decline in international student enrollment at DePaul. The financial impact of that is staggering.
Fewer foreign students, fewer dollars: U.S. colleges feel the pinch
DePaul University has told faculty it will immediately reduce spending following a 30% decline in international enrollment this fall. The move is the latest by U.S. colleges to cope with the disruptive education and immigration policies of President Donald Trump.
www.reuters.com
October 4, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
He's one of a handful of local doctors, w/ Jewish Voice for Peace, calling on lawmakers to block bomb sales to Israel and speak out against famine in Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank.

Read the story, but most importantly, press play👂
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
Chicago-area doctors are returning from Gaza with horror stories, and demands for elected officials
A group of doctors who worked in Gaza are urging members of Congress to sign onto a bill that would limit weapons sales to Israel. They say they can feel the tide turning.
www.wbez.org
August 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
Chicago doctor Thaer Ahmad will never forget one of the 1st times he declared a patient dead in Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, after a father carried in his three lifeless daughters.

Those girls weigh heavy on Ahmad's mind as he demands action from Illinois politicians.
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
Chicago-area doctors are returning from Gaza with horror stories, and demands for elected officials
A group of doctors who worked in Gaza are urging members of Congress to sign onto a bill that would limit weapons sales to Israel. They say they can feel the tide turning.
www.wbez.org
August 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Zareen Syed
It's not all investigations, politics and crime news. A good daily newspaper captures the flavor of its city. @zareensyed.bsky.social did that masterfully with her coverage of the craziness at the Wiener Circle yesterday www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/23/w...
The Wieners Circle hands out free hot dogs — and insults — for Caleb Williams’ 4 TD passes
The Wieners Circle made good on the promise of free hot dogs Tuesday if Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams threw four TD passes vs. the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM