Chicago is bracing for potentially the largest pro-Palestinian demonstration in its history as activists prepare to descend on the Democratic National Convention (DNC) scheduled for August 19-22. Despite President Joe Biden's recent decision to step down from his reelection bid, the planned protests remain on course, with organizers accusing both Biden and the Democratic Party of complicity in what they describe as "genocide" in Gaza.
The group spearheading the protest, March on the DNC 2024, has vowed to proceed with its demonstrations regardless of the Democratic nominee. In a statement released following Biden's withdrawal, the group declared that the change in the presidential candidate does not alter the party's policies on Israel, which they fiercely oppose. The statement emphasized the coalition's commitment to applying pressure, highlighting plans to rally "tens of thousands" of supporters in Chicago.
Holy sht ‼️There are plans to PROTEST the entire Democratic National Convention because of how people are being treated !!!!!!!
“So they protesting the whole Democratic Convention y’all!”
Must Watch & Share!!! 🚨🚨👇🏼
— Gracie Rose (@GracieRose) August 11, 2024
These protests draw historical comparisons to the infamous 1968 DNC in Chicago, where mass demonstrations against the Vietnam War took center stage. Organizers of the 2024 protests, including radical factions like Behind Enemy Lines, have even drawn parallels between their upcoming actions and those historic protests, rallying supporters with slogans like "Make 2024 as Great as 1968" .
Behind Enemy Lines, a self-described "anti-imperialist resistance" organization, is at the forefront of the mobilization. The group, along with others like Palestine Action US and Students for Justice in Palestine, has been vocal in its call for aggressive action against the Democratic Party. They have encouraged demonstrators to take bold steps, including enduring police confrontations, to make their voices heard.
Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to mobilize during next week’s Democratic National Convention, with pro-Palestinian events likely to take center stage.
MORE: https://t.co/nj3LohjJyG pic.twitter.com/jLcvRHNCSa
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) August 13, 2024
Chicago's law enforcement, led by Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, has been preparing for the protests with a commitment to maintaining order. Snelling has assured the public that the police response will be "a lot more controlled" than in 1968, with officers trained to handle civil unrest effectively. Nevertheless, the scale and intensity of the planned protests have raised concerns, particularly given the involvement of groups with a history of violent actions.
Further complicating the situation is the revelation that some of the organizations involved in planning the DNC protests are linked to far-left dark money networks. The Tides Center, for example, has come under scrutiny for its financial support of groups tied to pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel activism. This funding has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that U.S. taxpayer dollars are indirectly fueling anti-Israel extremism.
Adding to the tension, the National Park Service (NPS) has faced criticism for its handling of permits for past protests. Documents reveal that the NPS granted a permit to the ANSWER Coalition, one of the key organizers of an earlier violent protest in Washington, D.C., despite the group failing to fully disclose its plans. This has led to calls for greater oversight and accountability in the permitting process.
As Chicago gears up for the DNC, the anticipated protests are shaping up to be a significant challenge for both the city and the Democratic Party. With thousands of activists poised to converge on the convention, the event is set to be a focal point of national attention, echoing the turbulent political landscape of decades past.
