Protesters Rally in Chicago for Gaza at Democratic National Convention

Thousands of pro-Palestinian activists took to the streets of Chicago on Monday as the Democratic National Convention commenced. Although the turnout was lower than expected, the demonstration remained mostly peaceful, with only isolated incidents of conflict reported.

By mid-afternoon, no arrests had been made, although some protesters attempted to breach a security fence surrounding the United Center, where President Joe Biden was set to speak later in the day. This group seemed intent on drawing the police’s attention as they broke away from the main march.

The procession began on a bustling street lined with schools and residential buildings, less than a mile from the convention site, with a police helicopter monitoring from above as chants of “Free Palestine” echoed through the air. Before the march officially started, the crowd at Union Park was estimated to range from 1,600 to 4,000 participants, according to law enforcement officials on the scene.

This series of protests highlights a significant challenge to the Democratic Party amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which has led to a staggering death toll and ongoing support for Israel from the Biden administration. Signs carried by demonstrators communicated their frustrations directly to Vice President Kamala Harris, with one reading, “We’re trying to help you, Kamala.”

“We have already achieved something by mobilizing. Thousands of individuals from diverse backgrounds are standing together to stop the war and end the genocide,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, national chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network. He emphasized the importance of this collective message to the Democrats gathering inside the convention.

Chicago hosts the largest Palestinian community in the United States, and with an estimated 50,000 attendees at the convention, the protests come at a critical time for the party.

The tensions surrounding the Gaza conflict may have electoral implications, with dissent potentially jeopardizing Harris’s standing in battleground states such as Michigan. Activists are banking on this sentiment to push for concessions, including a stronger call for a cease-fire or a halt to arms sales to Israel.

One activist, Muhammad Sankari, stressed the need for a decisive message. “We want to end the genocide against our people. The current administration’s support for Israel is purely lip service,” he stated.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, overseeing the police presence at the march, has assured the public that past unrest would not be tolerated. The march proceeded without major incidents, with dedicated marshals maintaining a buffer between protesters and law enforcement. A brief altercation was swiftly resolved.

Calm prevailed as organizers distributed masks to protect against potential pepper spray. However, a moment of tension occurred when a group of pro-Israel supporters, identifying as “Christians and Jews for Israel,” entered the park, leading to interventions from police and volunteers to avert confrontation.

The pain resulting from the Gaza conflict was palpable among attendees. Tarek Kishawi shared the personal devastation he experienced, having lost over 40 family members since the violence escalated. He expressed skepticism about any political figure’s ability to win his endorsement, citing Harris’s position within the current administration.

Many among the demonstrators had previously engaged in protests related to these issues. Victoria Hinkley, a former University of South Florida student expelled for her activism, declared her commitment to the cause despite her uncertain future. “It was definitely worth it,” she reassured, characterizing her actions as a stand on the right side of history.

As Monday unfolded, some protesters prepared for potential conflicts with law enforcement. One participant, Mohamed Mawri from Detroit, arrived equipped with protective gear, sharing his concerns stemming from past experiences of police violence during protests.

Additionally, elsewhere in the city, groups supporting independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. staged marches aimed at attracting undecided voters from the Democratic loyalist base.

City officials imposed regulations requiring large protest groups to secure permits, along with specifying designated routes and limits on how long they could disrupt traffic. Amid heightened security, various streets and key sites were fortified with steel fences, concrete barricades, and other obstacles to prevent any disruptions during the convention.

This year’s Democratic National Convention is taking place in a climate marked by the ongoing conflict in Gaza and follows a series of events, including an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump and mass transit-related disruptions during the Paris Olympics. Vice President Harris is poised to formally accept the party’s nomination on Thursday.

Source: USA Today