Thousands of protesters to descend on Chicago for DNC – Washington Examiner

Samantha-Jo RothAugust 16, 2024

Thousands of protesters are set to converge on Chicago for the Democratic National Convention (DNC) starting Monday. Various groups aim to raise awareness on ⁢issues such as abortion access, U.S. support for Israel, poverty, housing crises, and climate change, with estimates of 30,000 to 40,000 participants expected for the March on the DNC 2024. Notably, around 100 organizations focused on pro-Palestinian advocacy will participate, amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Gaza conflict. Activists have expressed frustration with the Biden administration’s military support for ‍Israel, despite Vice President‍ Harris acknowledging the humanitarian crises affecting both Israelis and Palestinians. ‌Additionally, there have been disputes over protest permits and routes around the convention site, with a federal judge recently siding with the city’s regulations aimed at ensuring safety and security.

Thousands of protesters to descend on Chicago for DNC

As the Democratic National Convention prepares to start on Monday in Chicago, those protesting a variety of different causes will also converge on the Windy City.

Thousands will march close to the United Center, where the speeches for the DNC will take place in the evening, while others will rally nearby.

People will begin gathering as early as Sunday and will be raising their voices to bring attention to abortion access, opposition to America’s support of Israel, policies they believe have exacerbated poverty and a housing crisis, climate change, and many other topics. Protest organizers expect between 30,000 and 40,000 to join the March on the DNC 2024 on Monday.

Nearly 100 organizations that plan to protest against Israel are expected to be in Chicago as the war in Gaza reaches 10 months. The groups expected to protest outside the DNC between Monday and Thursday include CODEPINK, the Palestinian Feminist Collective, Students for Justice in Palestine Chicago, American Muslims for Palestine Chicago, and other pro-Palestinian groups active across the United States, according to a new report by a watchdog group.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied in the borough of Manhattan in New York outside of a presidential campaign fundraising event for Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris did not make an appearance at the event as the fundraiser was held by New York’s Democratic officials. Following the fundraiser, the pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched to the afterparty event of the fundraiser and protested there as well. Demonstrators condemned the Israel Defense Forces for its military operations in Gaza. Protesters also criticized Harris and the Biden administration for supplying weapons to Israel. (Photo by Jimin Kim / SOPA Images / SIPA USA)

Activists who have pressured the Biden administration for a ceasefire and an end to military aid said their calculus has not changed, even after Biden stepped aside.

After a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late last month, Harris acknowledged the suffering of both the Israeli and Palestinian people during a solo meeting and pledged not to “look away in the face of these tragedies.” The vice president has emphasized a more sympathetic tone toward the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but activists have kept pointing to her continued support of Israel.

“Harris represents the administration — she represents Biden. There is nothing that she has expressed independently that tells us she does not support the policies,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, the national chairman of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network advocacy group.

There has been a battle over permits to protest surrounding the convention, with some groups filing for permits to demonstrate last year. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration denied requests from groups to set up stages and sound systems for rallies in parks near the United Center.

Organizers for the marches have attempted to change the path allotted, fighting for a longer and wider path to the convention center. However, U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood ruled this week she will not force the city to change the protest route, writing the city has a “significant interest” in controlling the crowds for security and safety.

Here is the timeline of protests planned for each day, according to reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times: