As the Democratic National Convention prepares to start on Monday in Chicago, those protesting a variety of different causes will also converge on the Windy City.
Thousands will march close to the United Center, where the speeches for the DNC will take place in the evening, while others will rally nearby.
People will begin gathering as early as Sunday and will be raising their voices to bring attention to abortion access, opposition to America’s support of Israel, policies they believe have exacerbated poverty and a housing crisis, climate change, and many other topics. Protest organizers expect between 30,000 and 40,000 to join the March on the DNC 2024 on Monday.
Nearly 100 organizations that plan to protest against Israel are expected to be in Chicago as the war in Gaza reaches 10 months. The groups expected to protest outside the DNC between Monday and Thursday include CODEPINK, the Palestinian Feminist Collective, Students for Justice in Palestine Chicago, American Muslims for Palestine Chicago, and other pro-Palestinian groups active across the United States, according to a new report by a watchdog group.
Activists who have pressured the Biden administration for a ceasefire and an end to military aid said their calculus has not changed, even after Biden stepped aside.
After a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late last month, Harris acknowledged the suffering of both the Israeli and Palestinian people during a solo meeting and pledged not to “look away in the face of these tragedies.” The vice president has emphasized a more sympathetic tone toward the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but activists have kept pointing to her continued support of Israel.
“Harris represents the administration — she represents Biden. There is nothing that she has expressed independently that tells us she does not support the policies,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, the national chairman of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network advocacy group.
There has been a battle over permits to protest surrounding the convention, with some groups filing for permits to demonstrate last year. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration denied requests from groups to set up stages and sound systems for rallies in parks near the United Center.
Organizers for the marches have attempted to change the path allotted, fighting for a longer and wider path to the convention center. However, U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood ruled this week she will not force the city to change the protest route, writing the city has a “significant interest” in controlling the crowds for security and safety.
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Here is the timeline of protests planned for each day, according to reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times:
Sunday, Aug. 18
Group: Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws
Time: 5 p.m.
Activity: march
Group: Poor People’s Army
Time: 6 p.m.
Activity: rally
Monday, Aug. 19
Group: Coalition to March on the DNC
Time: noon
Activity: rally / march
Group: Poor People’s Army
Time: 4 p.m.
Activity: march
Group: Illinois Policy Institute
Time: 7 p.m.
Activity: protest
Wednesday, Aug. 21
Group: Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine
Time: 4 p.m.
Activity: rally / march
Thursday, Aug. 22
Group: Coalition to March on the DNC
Time: 5 p.m.
Activity: rally / march
