CHICAGO, Aug 19 (Reuters) — On the opening day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), thousands of protesters took to the streets of Chicago to voice their opposition to the Biden administration's support for Israel amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict. The demonstration, organized by the coalition "March on the DNC," marked a significant show of discontent from pro-Palestinian activists.
The rally began with mostly peaceful marches and speeches, but tensions escalated when some protesters breached a section of the security fence surrounding the convention arena. Riot police were swiftly deployed to the scene, though officials reported that the breach did not pose a direct threat to the convention attendees. Four individuals were detained, though the exact number of arrests was not immediately disclosed.
The crowd, which had initially filled a park on Chicago's West Side, turned its frustration towards Vice President Kamala Harris, chanting derogatory slogans in response to her and the administration’s stance on the Gaza conflict. Despite high expectations for the turnout, the protest fell short of the tens of thousands anticipated, with only several thousand present by the afternoon.
Among the protesters were numerous delegates and activists from diverse backgrounds, including Palestinian and Arab communities from Illinois and neighboring states. They expressed frustration with the Democratic Party's position on the Israel-Gaza conflict, advocating for a change in the party platform and calling for an arms embargo.
Hatem Abudayyeh, a spokesman for the group, criticized the Democratic Party's policies, emphasizing the group's commitment to pushing for substantial changes. Another protest is planned for later in the week when Harris is set to formally accept her nomination as the party's candidate for the November election.
The protests reflect ongoing national debate over U.S. foreign policy and the role of political parties in addressing international conflicts.