In Chicago on Sunday, protesters flooded Michigan Avenue, blocking several roads ahead of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), CBS News Chicago reported.
The Democratic National Convention officially opened on Monday and will continue through Thursday, when Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to formally accept the Democratic nomination for president in 2024. But on the eve of the convention, large protests were held in the Chicago area, organized by Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws, a coalition of feminist and LGBTQ groups. According to CBS News Chicago: The march, which headed to Grant Park, reportedly initially focused on defending the groups' activist causes but later shifted to support pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel positions.
Live Current Scene #Chicago – Left-wing, pro-Palestinian, pro-abortion access, pro-LGBT groups #DemocraticNationalConvention👀🇺🇸 #Chicago | #dncprotest
Live coverage: https://t.co/wiwOyLGtHo pic.twitter.com/BRjRHmoRMv
— The Human Dilemma (@HumanDilemma_) August 19, 2024
BREAKING: Hundreds of Chicago Police officers are already gathering downtown in preparation for a massive protest against the Democratic Party planned for tonight. The Democratic National Convention hasn't even officially started yet, but protesters are already taking to the streets.
It's going to be a disaster! pic.twitter.com/BIu0FBqeff
— George (@BehizyTweets) August 18, 2024
BREAKING: Massive protests erupt in Chicago just one day before the Democratic National Convention.
The protests are being organised by groups banned in other countries for their links to terrorist groups. pic.twitter.com/VQoRkl7REk
— Eyal Yaakoby (@EYakoby) August 19, 2024
CHICAGO – “Go home, pig, or we'll bring the war home with us.”
Tensions have risen between police and protesters as pro-Palestinian protesters give the police the middle finger and start yelling at them to go home. Frontline TPUSA pic.twitter.com/LAttX1mSPL
— Savannah Hernandez (@sav_says_) August 19, 2024
About 200 people had joined the protest by 5:30 p.m., and that number swelled to 500 as the march progressed, according to the media. Demonstrators carried a variety of placards and flags displaying pride and pro-Palestinian sentiment, and blocked roads as they marched south. video Video from X (formerly Twitter) showed protesters blocking entire streets, with heavy police presence to ensure the demonstration remained peaceful.
Former Chicago Police Commissioner Eddie Johnson commented on the department's preparedness, noting the special training officers and supervisors receive to handle such incidents sensitively.
“There is a fundamental difference between peaceful protest and rioters, and rioters will not be tolerated,” Johnson said in a statement, CBS News Chicago reported.
The media outlet said Sunday's protest is expected to be smaller than those planned for later this week, including a pro-Palestinian protest on Monday by the Coalition to Demonstrate at the Democratic National Convention.
