CHICAGO (AP) — Thousands of activists are set to gather in Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention, focusing on issues such as abortion rights, economic inequality, and the conflict in Gaza.
As Vice President Kamala Harris gears up to receive the Democratic nomination, progressive activists are determined to maintain their advocacy.
Reflecting on lessons learned from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month, activists anticipate larger crowds and more vigorous protests in a city with a rich history of social activism.
Who is protesting?
Protests are expected throughout the convention, with a shared objective among many activists being an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The activities are set to commence on Sunday with an abortion rights march along Michigan Avenue.
Organizer Linda Loew emphasized that while Democrats have advocated for reproductive rights domestically, the issue transcends borders. The march aims to show solidarity with individuals worldwide who are fighting for bodily autonomy and to voice opposition to the diversion of U.S. funds to warfare instead of healthcare, she stated.
“We believe that the substantial funds allocated to Israel and the supply of weapons are disproportionately impacting women, children, and the unborn,” she remarked. “All these concerns are interconnected.”
The primary organizing group, the Coalition to March on the DNC, has scheduled demonstrations for the opening and closing days of the convention.
Organizers anticipate the participation of at least 20,000 activists, including students who have protested against the conflict on college campuses.
“The decision-makers will be present,” noted Liz Rathburn, a student organizer at the University of Illinois Chicago. “The individuals within the United Center will play a role in shaping our foreign policy in some manner.”
Where are they protesting?
Activists filed a lawsuit against the city earlier in the year, alleging that restrictions on protest locations violate their constitutional rights.
Despite initial refusals, Chicago authorities have now permitted demonstrations closer to the convention venue at United Center on the city’s West Side. A federal judge recently approved the group’s requested march route spanning about 1 mile.
A spokesperson for the Coalition to March on the DNC, Hatem Abudayyeh, expressed satisfaction with the updated protest parameters but argued that their proposed 2-mile march would be safer for accommodating larger crowds. The group is organizing transportation for activists from approximately six states.
“We are proceeding full steam ahead,” he affirmed.
A park situated near United Center has been designated for a speakers’ stage, with each slot being allocated a 45-minute duration.
The Philadelphia-based Poor People’s Army, an advocate for economic justice, plans to convene at Humboldt Park on the city’s Northwest Side. Their itinerary includes events with third-party candidates Jill Stein and Cornel West, alongside a 3-mile march to United Center on Monday.
Some members of the group have treked over 80 miles from Milwaukee, where they protested during the Republican convention.
Cheri Honkala, a spokesperson for the group, remarked as they entered Illinois, “Underprivileged and homeless individuals are facing harsh treatment, with shelters and encampments being dismantled from San Francisco to Philadelphia, Gaza, and the West Bank. These human rights violations can be prevented, yet both Democratic and Republican leaders are complicit.”
How does a new nominee change things?
Many activists believe that there will be little change with Harris being part of the Biden administration.
“Our demands remain unchanged. I haven’t witnessed any policy shifts,” stated Erica Bentley, an activist with Mamas Activating Movements for Abolition and Solidarity. “If you are present, you need to acknowledge our priorities.”
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Chicago have been actively protesting, even disrupting routes to the airport and staging sit-ins at congressional offices. Some of them are organizing a separate one-day convention on Sunday featuring third-party candidates.
“Regardless of the nominee, our protest is against the Democrats and their policies enabling Israel to cause the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza,” asserted Fayaani Aboma Mijana, an organizer with the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.
The potential participation of far-right extremists who strongly support former President Donald Trump remains uncertain.
Secret Service Deputy Special Agent in Charge Derek Mayer mentioned last week that there are no specific security threats targeting the convention.
Is Chicago ready?
The convention is projected to attract around 50,000 individuals to the nation’s third-largest city, including delegates, activists, and journalists.
The city has taken the necessary precautions in collaboration with law enforcement and the Secret Service. Stringent security measures will be enforced, with street closures around the convention center.
To alleviate traffic concerns, city officials have highlighted the inauguration of an $80 million train station near United Center. Additionally, efforts have been made to enhance the city’s aesthetics with newly planted flowers and updated signage. City authorities have also cleared out a nearby homeless encampment.
Police have undergone training on upholding constitutional policing standards; county courts are allocating more space in anticipation of potential mass arrests; and nearby hospitals in the security zone are beefing up emergency response readiness.
However, lingering safety concerns persist, with worries over protests escalating unpredictably or devolving into chaos.
“We are committed to safeguarding individuals’ First Amendment rights and ensuring they protest safely,” Mayor Brandon Johnson assured The Associated Press in a recent interview.
Activist Hy Thurman, who protested and was arrested during the infamous 1968 convention in Chicago, best known for its violent clashes between police and anti-Vietnam War demonstrators, plans to return to Chicago to protest the conflict in Gaza.
“This holds personal significance for me,” he shared. “I see parallels.”
