Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Chicago on Monday as the Democratic National Convention commenced, presenting an initial challenge to the city’s security measures and Vice President Kamala Harris’s efforts to showcase party unity.
The demonstrators represented a coalition of more than 200 groups advocating for various liberal causes but were particularly unified in their criticism of the Biden administration’s policies on Israel and Gaza. The protest began with an hours-long rally in a park before the marchers, numbering in the low thousands, proceeded through the city streets. Organizers had anticipated a larger turnout, but the demonstrators remained resolute in their mission to influence the Democratic Party’s stance on foreign aid and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
“It is no longer good enough just to stand against Trump,” said Ellie Feyans-McCool, who traveled from Minnesota to participate. Feyans-McCool, who has yet to decide whether to support Vice President Harris or another candidate, emphasized the need for positive action, urging the Democrats to take stronger measures against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The protest attracted a diverse crowd, with participants spanning different age groups and varying attire, from business casual to protective gear and face masks. As they marched, protesters chanted slogans and waved signs while police officers observed from a distance. Some of the demonstrators, including those pushing strollers, reflected the broad spectrum of individuals taking part in the event.
In the late afternoon, a group of protesters broke away from the main march and approached a security gate near the convention hall. Chicago police officers, equipped with helmets and batons, swiftly intervened, urging both protesters and journalists to leave the area. Some protesters threw signs and cans at the police, resulting in the detention of at least four individuals, with two more being detained later.
A statement from a joint information center operated by local and federal agencies confirmed that some protesters “breached a portion of anti-scale fencing” on the outer perimeter but stressed that law enforcement responded immediately and “at no point was the inner perimeter breached.”
For the most part, the protest was marked by fervent chants and speeches rather than any significant confrontations. Earlier in the day, a smaller group of pro-Palestinian protesters had briefly marched alongside a contingent carrying Israeli flags. Police, who had been present in large numbers but kept their distance, ensured that the two groups remained separate.
This march, expected to be one of the larger demonstrations during the convention, served as an early test of Chicago’s preparedness. City officials, eager to avoid comparisons to the infamous 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, have been working to project an image of calm and control. Mayor Brandon Johnson, a first-term Democrat with a history of leading demonstrations, has repeatedly assured the public that Chicago is ready to host a safe and peaceful convention while making it clear that violence will not be tolerated.
On Sunday evening, another protest took place on Michigan Avenue, where hundreds of demonstrators marched to advocate for abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, and peace in Gaza. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling praised the officers’ handling of the situation, stating, “Our officers responded exactly the way we trained them to respect First Amendment activity.”
One 23-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday for defacing property and obstructing a police officer, though police clarified that she was not part of the main protest.
The planning for Monday’s march had been underway for months, with organizers even filing a lawsuit against the city of Chicago over the protest route. Although the activists secured some concessions, including the use of a stage and sound system for the pre-march rally, disagreements with city officials over the exact route persisted.
Protesters carried signs bearing messages like “Free Palestine!” and chanted slogans such as “From the river to the sea,” a phrase that some interpret as antisemitic and a call for the elimination of Israel. The march was planned to pass within “sight and sound” of the United Center, the primary convention venue.
Organizers admitted that Monday’s turnout was lower than anticipated but expressed hope that more protesters would join throughout the week. A larger protest is scheduled for Thursday, the final day of the convention.
“It’s a Monday morning, which in and of itself is not the greatest starting time, but we needed to do it because we wanted to have protesting happening as soon as the thing started,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, a spokesperson for the coalition and a pro-Palestinian activist.
Many Chicago police officers, some on bicycles, lined the streets during the march, closely monitoring the demonstrators. Participants from the Sunday protest remarked on the heavy police presence, with Rabbi Brant Rosen commenting, “You almost see more police than marchers here — it’s overkill.”
Unlike the relatively contained protests at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month, activists in Chicago have announced plans to gather every day during the Democratic convention. Another march was expected later on Monday evening.
Alex Nelson, a Chicago resident, plans to attend several protests throughout the week and has taken time off from work to do so. “My hope is that things continue to be peaceful,” she said at Sunday’s protest, “and that the mayor, the governor, and the police continue to allow us to demonstrate and march and exercise our First Amendment rights.”
The Road Ahead for Chicago’s Protests
As the Democratic National Convention continues, Chicago is set to be the epicenter of ongoing protests, with activists determined to make their voices heard. While city officials and law enforcement have demonstrated their commitment to maintaining order, the coming days will test the resilience of both the protesters and the city’s security measures. The future of these demonstrations will reveal whether the balance between peaceful protest and public safety can be maintained.
