Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters plan to gather during the Democratic National Convention next week, demanding that the U.S. end its aid to Israel amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Delegates from across the nation will come together in Chicago at the United Center and McCormick Place from August 19 to 22, uniting to officially endorse Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as the party’s nominees for President and Vice President.
The city of Chicago is ready and looking forward to welcoming an expected 50,000 visitors to the city for the convention.
What is the March on the DNC?
The March on the DNC, a coalition of over 200 organizations from all over the country, plans to hold two demonstrations during the four-day event.
Although the main focus is on pro-Palestinian efforts, the group is also addressing a range of social justice issues including police crimes, immigrants’ rights, workers’ rights and LGBTQIA+ rights.
“We’re bringing tens of thousands of people – Palestinians, Arabs, Black people, immigrants, workers, students, women, LGBTQ people, folks of different abilities, folks of different immigration statuses, and more – together in a family-friendly protest to show those responsible for this genocide,” the coalition told Newsweek.
Why are people protesting at the DNC?
According to the March on the DNC’s website, the group is highlighting several issues within the Democratic Party, including financing the conflict in Palestine and wars in other countries, contributing to the mass incarceration of Black and brown individuals and deporting millions of immigrants.
“Democratic Party leadership switching out their presidential nominee does not wash the blood of over 50,000 Palestinians off their hands,” the website said. “Biden’s entire administration, together with high-ranking members of the Democratic Party from all over the country, has spent the last ten months wholeheartedly supporting the genocide in Gaza with our tax dollars.”
The group also said the Democratic party failed to fulfill campaign promises to the oppressed communities who are a crucial part of their voter base.
When and where is the protest expected to happen?
The coalition has scheduled two protests: one on the first day of the convention and another on the last. They will gather at Union Park at noon on Monday and again at 5 p.m. on Thursday at the same location.
They told Newsweek they will start from the park and will march within sight and sound of the United Center.
Will there be increased security at this year’s DNC?
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said during a press conference public safety is the top priority, and they are committed to ensuring a safe and successful national convention.
The city of Chicago plans to have officers and safety resources in every single neighborhood, not just around the DNC venue location.
“Our officers have been training for over a year, the Chicago Police Department along with everyone working with us – our federal, state, local partners and county – we’re all working in collaboration to make sure the city is safe and secure,” Snelling said.
Regarding the protesters, Snelling said the police department will protect and allow them to exercise their First Amendment rights. However, authorities are closely monitoring the designated location and coordinating with federal partners to prevent any significant disturbances in the area.
“If everybody is doing what’s expected of them and they’re exercising their First Amendment Rights, this isn’t an arrest situation,” Snelling said. “But, we will not guarantee someone that we’re not going to make arrests if they start to act violently or commit crimes.”
March on the DNC said they do not want outside police forces in Chicago and insists that if they are present, they should remain within the DNC perimeter. They are urging the city “to avoid inviting ‘outside agitators’ with guns and badges to police Black and brown residents.”
Thousands of officers from multiple jurisdictions assisted in providing additional security for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Ohio police officers shot and killed a man who was holding a knife in each hand near the convention. The shooting fueled anger from residents who questioned why out-of-state officers were in their neighborhood located about a mile from the convention site.
However, Milwaukee Chief Jeffrey Norman stated the officers, who were not local, took the initiative to act and save a life.
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