Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are planning to show up in full force at the Democratic National Convention, slated for next week in Chicago. It’s estimated tens of thousands of protestors representing more than 200 pro-Palestinian organizations will march at least twice during the four-day event.
Event organizers will not say how much trouble the marches might cause, but they want the event to be “fun and safe for families.” Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling noted the city’s police will keep everyone safe during the protests but “won’t accept any violence or damage.”
Last month, the March on the RNC in Milwaukee went smoothly. The organizers of the March on the DNC hope things will go just as well in Chicago.
Tom Carney, who oversees permits for public events in Chicago, said they plan to make sure the protesters are close enough to be heard and seen near the United Center.
March on the DNC is also expected to take detours into “social justice” issues.
Some of the coalition’s members include Legalization For All, the Chicago Committee For Human Rights in the Philippines, and the International Migrants Alliance. They believe that even though President Biden promised to help immigrants, he has worked with Senate Republicans on plans that hurt them. They are protesting the deportations of over 225,400 in the first half of the year.
The group is asking Biden to keep his promises and help 12 million undocumented people in the U.S. become legal.
Chicago leaders had expected Texas Governor Greg Abbott to send many new migrants to the city during the DNC, but whether that happens is unclear.
Other groups expected to march include the Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and Black Brown + Breathing. These groups do not believe Democrats have done enough since the killing of George Floyd by police. They claim that the police are still poorly treating people of color.
Another group, which includes the United National Anti-War Coalition, the Anti-War Committee of Chicago, Answer, Know, Food Not Bombs, Women Against Military Madness, and About Face, is also planning to march.
This group says that in 2024, the U.S. will spend $842 billion on the military and $30 billion on nuclear weapons. President Joe Biden has used $133 billion for the war in Ukraine and $4 billion for what the group calls Israel’s actions in Palestine, according to the March on the DNC website.
At the same time, almost half of U.S. families struggle to make ends meet. Many of the poorest schools don’t have enough money to give students a good education. The group also points out that many families can’t afford homes, and about 600,000 people are without a place to live.
Even unions are getting involved in the action. Chicagoland Jewish Labor Bund, Labor For Palestine, Minnesota Workers United, Starbucks Workers United, and Workers Strike Back feel the president hasn’t kept his promise to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which would help workers join unions. They believe he has favored big businesses instead.
Even though President Biden says he supports unions, the group feels he has been promoting rules that hurt workers’ ability to strike and work together for their rights.
No Democratic demonstration would be complete without representation for the LGBTQ+ community. Code Pink, Central Florida Queers For Palestine, International Women’s Alliance, Mamas Activating Moments for Abolition and Solidarity, Palestinian Feminist Coalition, Queer Palestinian Empowerment Network, and Action-Milwaukee are linking “U.S.-Israeli genocide” to their cause.
The group says that the Democratic Party has been involved in the increasing attacks on women and the LGBTQ+ community.
They also claim that Democrats use social issues to distract from the problems in Gaza. They believe that the party’s economic policies have made women, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. more likely to face harm and unfair treatment.
An already violent city. Groups that are at odds with each other, like Pro-Palestine and LGBTQ+. Representation by groups that single-handedly burned America to the ground just a few summers back. Add a splash of summer heat.
What could go wrong?
