Opposition to Gaza War | Protesters Break Security Barrier at Democratic National Convention

(Chicago) Dozens of protesters broke through a security barrier near the Democratic National Convention site as it opened Monday, as thousands took to the streets to voice their opposition to the war in Gaza.

Families with babies in strollers, students, elected leaders and others holding signs and flags joined the march to the United Center, where the convention is being held, to call for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas.

While the larger group marched peacefully, a few dozen people who split off tore off pieces of the security barrier.

Several protesters who managed to break through the barrier were arrested and handcuffed by police, who put on gas masks as some protesters tried to break down a second barrier.

Authorities said the internal security perimeter surrounding the convention site was not breached and there was no threat to convention attendees.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said some of the protesters who tore down the barrier threw water bottles and other objects at police. Police defused the situation without using batons or chemicals, he added.

“When people get into a crowd and want to commit acts of violence, vandalism, we’re going to stop them,” said Snelling, who marched in front of protesters Monday with a group of police officers. “We’re not going to tolerate anyone who’s going to vandalize things in our city.”

Biden accused of genocide

Crowd members chanted “End the occupation now” and then “The whole world is watching!” just as anti-Vietnam War protesters did at the infamous 1968 convention in Chicago, when police clashed with demonstrators on live television. Families gathered on their porches and in front of their doors as the protesters marched. Some children wore keffiyehs, blew bubbles or held pro-Palestinian signs.

The march came as President Joe Biden, who has faced heavy criticism from pro-Palestinian groups, including the protesters, took a stroll through the largely empty United Center. Mr. Biden was scheduled to address the party later that evening.

“Biden, you can’t hide. We accuse you of genocide,” the protesters chanted over drums. They also dubbed him “Genocide Joe” and led similar chants at Vice President Kamala Harris.

Protesters said their plans had not changed since Mr Biden dropped out of the race and that the party had quickly rallied behind Mr^me Harris, who will formally accept the Democratic nomination this week, said activists were ready to amplify their progressive message in front of the country’s top Democratic leaders.

Modest participation

Organizers had hoped that at least 20,000 people would attend Monday’s rally and march, but it appeared that only a few thousand attended, though city officials declined to give an estimate of how many people attended.

“We are proud of the turnout, especially given the level of repression in the city,” said Faayani Aboma Mijana, who is part of the event’s organization.

The Chicago area is home to one of the largest Palestinian communities in the country, and buses carried activists from across the country.

Taylor Cook, an organizer with the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, came from Atlanta for the march. He said the group was pushing all Democrats to call for an end to aid to Israel, with a focus on M^me Harris.

“We’re saying to Kamala that she was complicit in this. People think it’s just Joe Biden, but she’s vice president,” Cook said. “So we’re saying you have to stop if you want our vote.”

Medea Benjamin, who traveled to Chicago from Washington, D.C., with a group of women protesters calling for peace, said she was shocked that the Biden administration recently approved an additional $20 billion in arms sales to Israel.

“There is an incredible gap between what people are asking for in this country and what the administration is doing,” she said before the rally at Union Park. “We are so disgusted by this.”

Pro-Palestinian supporters descended on the park, west of the Loop business district, for the rally.

Before the march, independent presidential candidate Cornel West addressed the crowd, which greeted him with cheers.

“This is not about Machiavellian politics or utilitarian calculation about an election,” he shouted into a microphone. “This is about morality. This is about spirituality.”

Disagreements

About 40 pro-Israel supporters marched around the park during the rally. Mostly silent while waving Israeli flags, they were accompanied by about 20 police officers on bicycles. Although tensions flared at times, there were no physical altercations.

Josh Weiner, a co-founder of the Chicago Jewish Alliance who marched with the pro-Israel group, said their intention was to “make our presence felt.” He said the group had applied for permits that were not approved by the city.

“The pro-Palestine protesters have been granted several permits, including a march, which seems to be leaning a little bit in favor of one side,” Weiner said.

Coalition activists and the city have been at odds over the location of the protests and other logistics. A judge ruled in favor of the city on a march route of about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers), which organizers said was not big enough for the expected crowd.