News coverage and analysis of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Tension began to build at Union Park late Thursday during the final protest march outside Chicago’s Democratic National Convention, and in the final moments before Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage blocks away at the United Center.
The protesters said they wanted to keep marching until Harris took the stage.
The moment seemed to put at risk a week that could still end with mostly peaceful protests and just 72 arrests.
They also warned that, if Harris doesn’t change course on the issue, she’ll lose in November.
Protesters set out to finish the week strong, creating a palpable contrast between the party celebrating Harris at the United Center and a group chanting about genocide blocks away, trying to get the Democrats’ attention.
But one theme emerged: A particular ire toward Harris, who received a raucous ovation when she took the stage at the United Center.
In the streets nearby, they chanted “Killer Kamala, you will see, Palestine will be free!”
Reporting from and commentary on the Chicago 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Moments before Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage at the United Center, blocks away, and during the last protest march outside Chicago’s Democratic National Convention on Thursday night, tensions started to rise at Union Park.
Following a parade through the West Side park, which had started earlier, hundreds of Chicago police officers started to barricade a march against the Gaza war. The demonstrators declared their intention to march indefinitely until Harris appeared on stage.
At about nine o’clock in the evening, a large portion of the crowd stayed beneath the Lake Street L tracks. m. standing shoulder to shoulder, chanting “Gaza! Gaza!” and banging on drums.
discussions between the group’s police liaison and the Police Supt. Larry Snelling did not receive any response, and in the weeks that followed, organizers started urging the demonstrators to continue their protests, a hint that the crowd would soon disperse.
They said, “When you go home, please organize protests.”. “In order to win, we must create organization. “.
Even so, as the Democratic presidential nominee approached the most important speech of her political career, police continued to stand by. Soon after it started, 60 people were involved in the sit-in on Ashland Avenue, which is closest to Lake.
A week that might still conclude with primarily nonviolent protests and only 72 arrests appeared to be in jeopardy at that moment. Either way, in a city steeped in political activism and conventions, it will be remembered for a very long time.
Earlier in the day, Snelling informed reporters, “What we’ve learned here is that preparation is everything.”. Opportunity and preparation are the two things you need for success. We were ready to respond to the Democratic National Convention when we got the chance to. “.
It was dubbed an “incredibly successful week” by Hatem Abudayyeh, a local Palestinian activist who coordinated many of the marches this week, with thousands of people taking to the streets to demand that the Democrats in power end U.S. S. aid to Israel.
They also threatened Harris with defeat in November if she doesn’t reverse her course on the matter.
With a strong focus on drawing attention from Democrats, a group chanting about genocide blocks away from the party honoring Harris created a striking contrast with the protesters’ goal of capping the week strong.
Before starting their march down Washington Boulevard, the group assembled at Union Park. The latest crowd appeared denser, with people marching shoulder to shoulder in the street, but the turnout appeared to be just as strong as it was on Monday and Wednesday.
An individual from the U.S. S. When they arrived at the rally on Thursday, the Out of the Philippines Contingent, who chose not to reveal their last name out of fear of reprisals, chanted, “No boots on the ground, no bombs in the air, U.S. s. from all directions. “.
A few people demonstrated for other causes amidst the sea of Palestinian flags and signs denouncing the deaths in Gaza. There were placards that read, “Corporations are not people,” criticizing the 2010 Citizens United decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, and “Only the Struggle has won women’s rights,” referring to the state-by-state erosion of abortion rights. s. Supreme Court, allowing businesses to freely donate to political campaigns.
One theme did, however, come through: a special dislike for Harris, who was showered with applause when she performed at the United Center.
They were yelling in the surrounding streets, “Killer Kamala, you will see, Palestine will be free!”.
