On the opening day of the Democratic National Convention, a few thousand protesters marched toward the event site in Chicago to protest the Gaza conflict. Chicago officials pledged to maintain peace during the demonstrations.
As the crowd approached the United Center, some protesters breached a police fence, prompting officers to don gas masks and confront the demonstrators as they attempted to dismantle a second barrier.
President Joe Biden, facing criticism from pro-Palestinian groups including the protesters, was inspecting the convention venue at the time. He was scheduled to speak later in the evening.
Chanting phrases like “Biden, you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide,” and calling him “Genocide Joe,” the protesters also directed similar chants at Vice President Kamala Harris.
Despite Biden’s departure from the race and Harris becoming the Democratic nominee, activists remained focused on their message.
Hatem Abudayyeh of the Coalition to March on the DNC emphasized their call to end U.S. aid to Israel and support Palestine.
The protesters followed a mile-long route to a park near the convention center, with a heavy police presence overseeing the march.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and Mayor Brandon Johnson affirmed the city’s preparedness for the event.
Organizers had hoped for 20,000 attendees but estimated only a few thousand were present. Despite this, they expressed pride in the turnout given the city’s response.
Activists from across the country, including Taylor Cook from Atlanta and Medea Benjamin from Washington, D.C., voiced their disappointment with recent U.S. weapons sales to Israel.
Cornel West, an independent presidential candidate, addressed the crowd before the march, emphasizing the moral and spiritual nature of their cause.
