CHICAGO, USA: On the opening day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, thousands of protesters took to the streets to voice their opposition to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The demonstration, fueled by anger over U.S. support for Israel, escalated as a group of protesters broke through a police-erected fence near the United Center, where the convention is being held.
The crowd, chanting slogans like “End the occupation now” and “Biden, you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide,” mirrored the atmosphere of the 1968 Chicago convention protests, with echoes of the anti-Vietnam War movement. The heavy police presence, including officers in gas masks, attempted to control the situation as tensions rose.
President Joe Biden, criticized by pro-Palestinian groups for his administration’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, was present at the convention for a walk-through. Meanwhile, activists remained committed to amplifying their message, focusing their ire on both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The protest was organized by the Coalition to March on the DNC, a group comprising hundreds of organizations, aiming to end U.S. aid to Israel and show solidarity with Palestine. Despite initial hopes for a turnout of 20,000, only a few thousand protesters were present.
As the march continued, smaller groups of pro-Israel supporters, accompanied by police, maintained a quiet presence, waving Israeli flags. Despite the heightened tensions, the event remained largely peaceful, with minimal arrests reported.
Protesters, drawing parallels between the Gaza conflict and the Vietnam War, called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, making it the central message of their demonstration. As the convention progresses, activists vow to continue pressing their demands for change, particularly in U.S. foreign policy.
