Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched in Chicago on Monday as President Joe Biden arrived for the opening day of the Democratic National Convention.
A Show Of Force
This is a show of force against his administration’s support for Israel in the Gaza war.
Dozens of protesters broke through part of the perimeter security fence, drawing riot police to the spot.
No Comment On Arrest Of Protesters
The DNC security team did not respond to a request for comment on the arrest of the protesters.
“Law enforcement personnel are currently on scene and more information will be provided when available,” said a Chicago city spokesperson.
Chanting intensified ahead of the fence breach, as protesters reached a neighborhood park on Chicago’s West Side and paused to amplify their calls for a ceasefire.
Crowd Refers to Kamala Harris As ‘Killer Kamala’
Amid the noise, the crowd turned its frustration toward Vice President Kamala Harris , referring to the Democratic candidate as “Killer Kamala”.
Chicago police formed a perimeter around the park on foot to contain protesters, with some police personnel on bikes.
Still, the umbrella group “March on the DNC” drew fewer supporters than expected to a park outside the convention arena, hours before Biden was to address the gathering.
They started a one-mile march near where Democratic delegates will nominate Harris as their candidate to face Republican Donald Trump in November’s presidential election.
Organizers had expected tens of thousands of protesters – enough to fill the park and the march route – Hatem Abudayyeh, a spokesman for March on the DNC, said early Monday.
By afternoon though, several thousand protesters had gathered for speeches and the park was only half full.
Coalition
The coalition of more than 200 groups includes those advocating for a variety of causes from reproductive rights to racial justice.
Many people were coming from Palestinian and Arab communities in Illinois and neighboring states.
Participants From Diverse Backgrounds
Roman Fritz, at 19 one of the youngest Wisconsin delegates, wore a scarf imprinted with the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh pattern.
He planned to participate in the march.
He however had no plans to disrupt the official events later.
Muslim Delegates And Their Allies
Dozens of Muslim delegates and their allies, angry at U.S. support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza, are seeking changes in the Democratic platform.
They plan to press for an arms embargo, putting the party on guard for disruptions to high-profile speeches at the convention.
Some protesters were doubtful that the party will change its platform.
“It’ll never happen,” said Mwalimu Sundiata Keita, who traveled from Cincinnati, Ohio, to join the protest.
“It’s the policy of the party to support Israel, and until that policy changes, that’s the way it’s going to be.”
Senan Shaqdeh, 54, a member of the executive committee of the Palestinian American Organizations Network, said “The Democratic Party should not expect business as usual,”
Moreover, another large protest is scheduled for Thursday when Harris is due to formally accept the nomination.
Protests By Pro-Palestinian Groups
Pro-Palestinian groups have for months protested the Biden administration’s military and financial support for Israel during its war against Hamas.
More than 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza have died in the war, according to Gaza health officials.
Israel launched the offensive after it was attacked on October 7 by Hamas militants who killed 1,200 people.
“The Democrats are the ones in power,” Abudayyeh said on Monday. “It’s their war. They’re responsible for it, they are complicit, and they can stop it.”
(With Inputs From Reuters)
