As the Democratic National Convention (DNC) kicks off in Chicago, the city is bracing for a tidal wave of protests, with an estimated 100,000 demonstrators set to flood the streets. The protests are largely driven by anti-Israel sentiment, a focal point for a coalition of groups eager to make their voices heard as Vice President Kamala Harris steps into the spotlight as the Democratic presidential nominee.
While the DNC aims to rally the party behind Harris, who has taken the helm following Joe Biden’s exit from the race, the streets of Chicago are likely to tell a different story. Biden’s departure, which came after a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, has done little to quell the unrest brewing among the party’s left wing. In fact, the change in leadership seems to have only intensified the frustration.
One of the most significant events planned is the “March on the DNC 2024,” expected to draw around 30,000 participants on both Monday and Thursday. This event is organized by a coalition of 125 anti-Israel groups, underscoring the deep divisions within the Democratic Party over the U.S. administration’s stance on the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza.
Hatem Abudayyeh, a leading figure in the U.S. Palestinian Community Network and a vocal critic of the Biden administration, has been instrumental in organizing these protests. He hasn’t minced words, labeling the current administration as responsible for what he calls genocide in Gaza. The shift from Biden to Harris has not softened the rhetoric; if anything, it has sharpened the focus on the Democratic Party’s leadership as a whole.
Chicago’s Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson has assured the public that the city is prepared for the onslaught of protests, emphasizing the need for the demonstrations to be safe and peaceful. However, given the scale and intensity of the expected turnout, it remains to be seen whether the city can maintain order amidst the chaos.
The DNC’s efforts to project unity under Harris’s leadership may be overshadowed by the internal strife and external pressures, particularly from those within the party who demand an end to the conflict in Gaza at any cost. With tensions running high, the convention may end up highlighting the growing divide within the Democratic ranks rather than the unity they seek to showcase.
