On the opening day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, thousands of mostly peaceful pro-Palestinian protesters gathered to express their anger over the Biden administration’s support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict.
After hours of peaceful protest, some demonstrators breached part of the security perimeter, prompting a response from riot police, according to witnesses. The officers, equipped with blue helmets, shields, and batons, managed to prevent the protesters from reaching the inner security cordon.
President Biden did not directly address the security breach in his hour-long speech but acknowledged the protesters’ concerns, stating, “Those protesters out in the street, they have a point. A lot of innocent people are being killed, on both sides” of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Witnesses reported that four individuals were detained and handcuffed. Chicago police confirmed the arrests but did not specify the number.
Another protest is scheduled for Thursday, when Vice President Kamala Harris is set to accept her nomination.
Chants intensified as protesters reached a park on Chicago’s West Side and paused to call for a ceasefire. The crowd’s frustration was directed at Vice President Kamala Harris, with some referring to her as “Killer Kamala.”
Despite the large turnout, the umbrella group “March on the DNC” attracted fewer supporters than anticipated. The march, which began a mile from the convention arena, coincided with the Democratic delegates’ nomination of Harris to face Republican Donald Trump in November’s presidential election.
Muslim delegates and their allies, frustrated by U.S. support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, are advocating for changes to the Democratic platform and pushing for an arms embargo. This has put the party on alert for potential disruptions during high-profile convention speeches.
Roman Fritz, 19, one of the youngest Wisconsin delegates, wore a scarf with the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh pattern and expressed support for Harris as the party nominee. Some protesters, however, were skeptical about any platform changes.
“It’ll never happen,” said Mwalimu Sundiata Keita, who traveled from Cincinnati to join the protest.
A significant protest is planned for Thursday when Harris is expected to formally accept her nomination. Pro-Palestinian groups have been critical of the Biden administration’s military and financial support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas.
Protests on U.S. college campuses surged in the spring, with police intervening in student encampments and sometimes clashing with counter-protesters. “The Democrats are the ones in power,” Abudayyeh said on Monday. “It’s their war. They’re responsible for it, they’re complicit, and they can stop it.”
The Gaza conflict has created a rift within the Democratic Party as it heads into the November 5 election, risking alienation of Muslim and Arab-American voters, who have traditionally supported the party, especially in key battleground states.
