CHICAGO (WSN) — On the first day of the Democratic National Convention, dozens of demonstrators breached a security fence near the event site, as thousands protested against the Gaza conflict.
Participants included families with young children, students, elected officials, and others carrying signs and flags, marching towards the United Center to demand a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. While most of the marchers were peaceful, a smaller group managed to dismantle parts of the security fence.
Several of these protesters who got past the fence were detained by police. Officers donned gas masks when some protesters attempted to bring down a second fence. Authorities assured that the main security perimeter around the convention site remained intact and attendees were not in danger.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling reported that some protesters threw water bottles and other items at police. He stated that the police managed to de-escalate the situation without resorting to batons or chemicals.
“We will not tolerate vandalism or violence,” Snelling said. “We are here to stop anyone who tries to harm our city.”
The protesters chanted slogans such as “End the occupation now” and “The whole world is watching!” reminiscent of anti-Vietnam War protests during the 1968 Chicago convention. As the demonstrators marched, local residents watched from their homes, with some children joining in by wearing keffiyehs and blowing bubbles.
The protest coincided with President Joe Biden’s tour of the largely empty United Center. Biden was slated to speak that evening. Chants directed at him included accusations of genocide, with similar remarks aimed at Vice President Kamala Harris.
Despite Biden’s departure from the race and Harris’s rising prominence, protesters vowed to continue advocating for their cause. Activists aimed to emphasize their message to leading Democratic figures.
Cameron Benrud, a 25-year-old teacher from Minneapolis, drove five hours to join the protest, urging Democrats to halt aid to Israel. “You have to do something when you feel powerless,” he said.
Mayor Brandon Johnson assured that the city was well-prepared for the event. “Chicago handles these situations well,” he stated.
Organizers had anticipated a turnout of 20,000 but estimated a few thousand participants, though city officials did not provide specific numbers. Organizer Faayani Aboma Mijana expressed pride in the turnout despite perceived city repression.
Chicago’s large Palestinian community contributed to the protest’s size, with activists traveling from across the country. Taylor Cook from Atlanta criticized both Biden and Harris, urging a halt to aid to Israel.
Medea Benjamin, arriving from Washington, D.C., expressed outrage over the Biden administration’s approval of an additional $20 billion in weapons sales to Israel. “There is a huge gap between public sentiment and administration actions,” she said.
The rally attracted pro-Palestinian supporters to Union Park, west of the Loop business district. Independent presidential candidate Cornel West spoke to the crowd, emphasizing the moral and spiritual aspects of the protest.
Around 40 pro-Israel supporters, mostly silent and waving Israeli flags, walked around the park, accompanied by about 20 police officers. Although there were some tensions, there were no physical confrontations.
Josh Weiner of the Chicago Jewish Alliance said their goal was to assert their presence, despite not receiving city permits. He suggested that the permitting process favored the pro-Palestinian side.
Disputes between activists and the city over protest logistics, including the march route, resulted in a judge siding with the city on the route’s length, which organizers felt was inadequate for their anticipated numbers.
