NEW YORK (NewsNation) — With the Democratic National Convention set to start next week, both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters are preparing to make their voices heard. However, pro-Israel activists are claiming they’re being treated unfairly, arguing they won’t be allowed to march in the streets of Chicago.
Organizers from the Israeli-American Council (IAC) told NewsNation that upon learning tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters were expected to mobilize during the convention, they sought to have a pro-Israel presence at the event.
Like the March on the DNC — a coalition of 223 organizations from 21 states — IAC has faced hurdles with the city of Chicago. However, while the pro-Palestinian demonstrators received a permit to protest, IAC has not yet received approval for a permit.
Chicago rejects IAC’s permit to protest
IAC is trying to recreate a “hostage square” outside of the DNC to remind people of the eight Americans still held hostage by Hamas.
Aya Shechter, IAC’s lead organizer, said the city of Chicago sent the group a rejection letter and expressed disappointment that the only pro-Israel group to apply for a license to protest was ignored.
“We think that we, as the pro-Israel crowd, deserve the right to express our solidarity with Israel, and we expect the city, if there is anything that will happen to be there and to protect us, just as much as they would protect any other minority,” she said.
In response, the city said the applicant was offered an alternative parade or assembly route, which was neither accepted nor appealed. As a result, per the ordinance, the permit was not granted.
What are the latest developments with pro-Palestinian protesters’ plans?
Pro-Palestinian protesters are also unhappy with the city of Chicago, with organizers claiming they feel blindsided.
While Chicago granted the group a permit to protest, it restricted how and where they could gather. These restrictions include bans on stages, portable toilets, tents and sound equipment.
Pro-Palestinian protest organizers told NewsNation they view the rules as outrageous and believe it will make it impossible for their message to be communicated.
They aim to end U.S. aid to Israel and stop what they describe as the Democratic Party-supported killing of Palestinian people in Gaza.
The protesters plan to gather at Union Park during the convention, about a 10-minute walk from the convention’s site at the United Center. However, organizer argue the city routinely allows other groups and concerts to use sound equipment, tents and other items at the park.
The restrictions come after federal Judge Andrea Wood upheld the city’s proposed 1.1-mile protest route, denying the protest organizers request for a 2.3-mile route.
Meanwhile, the pro-Israel protest is scheduled for the second day of the convention, while the first pro-Palestinian protest will take place Monday, the DNC’s opening day.
