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These articles were written independently by individuals currently or previously affiliated with the Chicago Forum and reflect their personal perspectives. We share them to encourage learning and informed inquiry.
January 13, 2026 at 7:26 PM
These articles were written independently by individuals currently or previously affiliated with the Chicago Forum and reflect their personal perspectives. We share them to encourage learning and informed inquiry.
Former Law School Committee Chicago Forum Student Board Member, Pegah Banihashemi, also shares her perspective on Iran’s protests, the silence that surrounds them, and the fight for freedom.
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/13/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/13/o...
Pegah Banihashemi: Behind the blackout, Iran is drowning in blood
Why is the killing of thousands of unarmed Iranians in the streets met largely with statements of “concern”?
www.chicagotribune.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Former Law School Committee Chicago Forum Student Board Member, Pegah Banihashemi, also shares her perspective on Iran’s protests, the silence that surrounds them, and the fight for freedom.
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/13/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/13/o...
Read our Senior Director of Program, Talla Mountjoy’s reflection on personal experiences and emotions of hope, resilience, and longing for freedom in the wake of ongoing protests in Iran.
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/12/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/12/o...
Talla Mountjoy: ‘This is the time the regime will fall.’ Iran’s protests as seen through my family’s group chat.
With the protests in Iran growing, the conversations in our chats changed to signs of hope even amid concerns about our family’s safety.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Read our Senior Director of Program, Talla Mountjoy’s reflection on personal experiences and emotions of hope, resilience, and longing for freedom in the wake of ongoing protests in Iran.
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/12/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/12/o...
Discover more about Yaqiu Wang’s work and upcoming opportunities to engage with her this January:
thechicagoforum.uchicago.edu/initiatives/...
thechicagoforum.uchicago.edu/initiatives/...
Fellowship Program
thechicagoforum.uchicago.edu
December 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Discover more about Yaqiu Wang’s work and upcoming opportunities to engage with her this January:
thechicagoforum.uchicago.edu/initiatives/...
thechicagoforum.uchicago.edu/initiatives/...
She also spoke with NPR about her journey to becoming a human rights activist and how she came to understand democracy in America:
www.npr.org/transcripts/...
www.npr.org/transcripts/...
Is America becoming an autocracy? : Up First from NPR
Hundreds of U.S.-based scholars say the United States is swiftly heading away from liberal democracy and towards some form of authoritarianism. In this episode of The Sunday Story, NPR's Frank Langfit...
www.npr.org
December 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
She also spoke with NPR about her journey to becoming a human rights activist and how she came to understand democracy in America:
www.npr.org/transcripts/...
www.npr.org/transcripts/...
In her recent Guardian article, Yaqiu highlights how Americans can learn from global pro-democracy activists to defend democratic values:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I’m a Chinese pro-democracy activist. Here’s how to find courage to oppose Trump | Yaqiu Wang
While acting on your moral convictions can be risky, it can also feel profoundly good
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
In her recent Guardian article, Yaqiu highlights how Americans can learn from global pro-democracy activists to defend democratic values:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
