This week, Chicago will see a surge of anti-Israel protests coinciding with the Democratic National Convention, where Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will be campaigning for the White House.
According to the Chicago Tribune, city officials have approved at least seven major demonstrations addressing various issues, from abortion rights to economic inequities. The most prominent of these demonstrations are anticipated to be those led by anti-Israel groups, who are advocating for the U.S. to halt aid to Israel and end the conflict in Gaza.
Hatem Abudayyeh of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network expressed dissatisfaction with the current administration, stating, “We feel that their administration is responsible for this ongoing war and genocide.”
Diverse protests in Chicago address issues from the Gaza conflict to economic inequalities as the Democratic National Convention takes place
As the Democratic National Convention takes place at the United Center, Abudayyeh’s group has targeted the Democratic Party, singling out Vice President Harris as a key figure in their protests. The Israeli American Council plans to demonstrate in support of Israel, with Chief Programming Officer Aya Shechter emphasizing their support for the country and focusing on hostages held by Hamas.
With a large influx of protesters expected throughout the city, Mayor Brandon Johnson has assured that all demonstrations will be accommodated, emphasizing, “I’m going to make sure that these individuals have everything that they need to make sure that their voices are heard.”
However, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling warned that authorities would take action if protests become destructive, stating, “We will not allow people to come here and destroy the city.” Additional rallies may occur even without official permits.
