Chicago braces for DNC-linked demonstrations
- Thousands of people from hundreds of groups expected
- Protests focused on the Israel-Hamas war, abortion and many other issues
- Police, courts, hospitals all prepared
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(NewsNation) — Organizers expect up to 20,000 people to gather in downtown Chicago Monday afternoon to demonstrate their feelings on issues like the Israel-Hamas war, abortion, LGBTQ+ rights and many other causes as the Democratic National Convention begins.
“Almost 270 organization from across the U.S. have joined the coalition to March on the DNC,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network and spokesperson for the Coalition to March on the DNC, according to Nexstar’s WGN.
“Tens of thousands [of people] will be out on the streets starting tomorrow, August 19 at noon, right here at Union Park to say, ‘Stop the genocide now, end U.S. aid to Israel and free Palestine,’” he added.
“The people with power are going to be there,” said Liz Rathburn, a University of Illinois Chicago student organizer. “People inside the United Center are the people who are going to be deciding our foreign policy in one way or another.”
The week of protests linked to the Democratic National Convention began Sunday evening, as about 1,000 people marched along South Michigan Avenue near Grant Park. Police lined the march route and there were no signs of major conflict.
NewsNation’s Nancy Loo said she saw no problems, and heard both protestors and police officers say, “See you tomorrow.”
Protesters march passed a police line prior to the start of the Democratic National Convention Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) 
Protesters march passed a police line prior to the start of the Democratic National Convention Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) 
A police line goes around a monument to John Alexander Morgan in Grant Park prior to the start of the Democratic National Convention Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) 
A police line goes around a monument to John Alexander Morgan in Grant Park prior to the start of the Democratic National Convention Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) 
Protesters march passed a police line prior to the start of the Democratic National Convention Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a recent interview with The Associated Press that authorities will make sure that people who vandalize the city or who engage in violence will be arrested.
Police have undergone training on constitutional policing, county courts say they are opening more space in anticipation of mass arrests and hospitals near the security zone are beefing up emergency preparedness.
But some have lingering safety concerns, worried that protests could become unpredictable or devolve into chaos.
Activist Hy Thurman protested and was arrested at the infamous 1968 convention. The 74-year-old now lives in Alabama but plans to come to Chicago to protest the war in Gaza.
“It’s extremely personal for me,” he said. “I see parallels.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has said that he expects peaceful protests.
“We intend to protect the protesters’ First Amendment rights, and also the residents of the city of Chicago and the visitors to Chicago at the same time,” Pritzker told the AP in a recent interview.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
