GrayStak Media

Real-time media from the frontlines of protest & power. Mapping unrest, resistance & what comes next. On the ground: Chicago | NYC | D.C.

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A giant 40-foot inflatable effigy of a shirtless Elon Musk appeared in New York's Times Square on Thursday.

Organized by the coalition "Safe AI Now" (SAIN), the display was set up ahead of SpaceX's historic IPO. The installation featured messages criticizing the integration of the Grok AI platform, raising awareness regarding content safety and corporate liability.

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An interview with photojournalist Christian with GrayStak about his experiences covering the recent protests and unrest at Delaney Hall.

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An individual shares his perspective on the aftermath of October 7 and his decision to volunteer in Israel and join the IDF. He emphasizes the fundamental need for safety and security for all residents of Israel, including Jewish, Christian, and Muslim individuals, while strongly condemning terrorism.

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Interview with Rabbi Weiss outside the Israel Day Parade, sharing his perspective on the differences between Judaism and Zionism, the history of Jewish and Arab co-existence, and his opposition to a Jewish state from a religious standpoint.

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Chicago 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez sat down with us to discuss his journey from hip hop to City Hall, navigating progressive coalition building, independent budgeting, and reshaping city governance. Watch the full conversation below.

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Attorney Locke Bowman addresses the next steps for seeking accountability in Cook County following Operation Midway Blitz. He explains Judge Reddick's roadmap for investigations into federal law enforcement misconduct and discusses the role of local police departments.

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South Chicago resident Frederick Boyd shares community concerns regarding the construction of a planned quantum facility and data center. Speaking on behalf of SouthSide Together, he highlights potential environmental impacts and outlines demands for local neighborhood reinvestment.

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Illinois State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid discusses House Bill 2723, the Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act. The interview covers the background of the state's current anti-boycott legislation, the coalition supporting the repeal bill, and the upcoming legislative session.

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Labor organizer Chris Smalls discusses working conditions inside Amazon fulfillment centers, the pivotal moments that led to the Staten Island warehouse walkout, and his ongoing efforts to advocate for essential workers and legal union recognition.

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Inside the "Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room" pop-up exhibit in Manhattan. The installation features 3.5 million pages of released files compiled into over 3,400 volumes , alongside an interactive call station and a victim memorial.

Open until May 21st.

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Interview with industrial designer Laila Zayed on her work creating domestic objects that incorporate Arab and Palestinian culture, exploring the connection between design, identity, and organizing.

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A compilation of speakers at a community briefing highlights the work of longtime local leader Salah Sarsour. The discussion explores the intersection of legal advocacy, community standing, and the impact of current policies on residents.

#CommunityAdvocacy #LegalNews #LocalLeadership

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Tom Morello joins the Action Lab and the "Hands Off NYC" movement to protest against ICE and current immigration policies. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee delivers a speech criticizing the treatment of immigrant communities and shares a personal story of a family friend's deportation. Following his remarks, Morello performs a version of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land," specifically including "censored" verses that highlight themes of social justice and exclusion.

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Panelists at the People’s Forum discuss the connection between local community organizing and formal electoral politics. The conversation addresses several viewpoints on how student-led movements and grassroots campaigns can navigate a political system often influenced by corporate funding. The speakers also explore the role of mutual aid and political education in increasing voter engagement across New York districts.

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Captured from the front to the back of the line, this footage documents the scale of the NYC May Day march following the merger of two separate contingents.

The progression reveals a wide spectrum of participation, ranging from labor unions and immigrant rights groups to various social and geopolitical advocacy platforms. While unified in a single march, the diverse iconography highlights the breadth of the coalition and the logistical coordination of multiple grassroots interests.

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The march has officially continued.

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The streets of Manhattan are flooded today! From delivery workers to healthcare staff, NYC is showing up for International Workers’ Day.

Check our page for live clips and updates from the front lines of the march.

#MayDay2026 #LaborRights #NYC

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Mayor Zohran Mamdani has joined the march, taking the microphone to address the merged assembly. His presence marks a significant shift from the city's previous executive posture toward May Day demonstrations.

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Following the merger, the momentum has shifted from a mobile column to a "distributed assembly" within Washington Square Park. Different activist groups and the independent artists mingling together.

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The Union Square contingent has officially merged with the larger assembly at Washington Square Park.