Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched in Chicago on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention and later tore down a section of the perimeter security fence near the arena, a show of strength against the support being given to Israel by the US President Joe Biden-led administration amid the Gaza war.
The protest remained largely peaceful, but riot police were deployed near the convention arena after demonstrators breached a section of the security fence surrounding the United Center, where Biden was scheduled to speak. The DNC’s security team confirmed the breach but said law enforcement personnel acted quickly and at no time was there any threat to attendees, reports news agency Reuters.
As a result of the incident, several people were arrested, and police later cleared a park near the convention site, USA Today reports. Some deputies formed a perimeter around the park on foot, while others were on bikes to stop the protesters.
During the protest held at a park on Chicago’s West Side, protesters demanded a ceasefire and expressed their anger at Vice President Kamala Harris, calling the Democratic presidential nominee ‘Killer Kamala’.
Chicago is home to America’s largest Palestinian community, and an estimated 50,000 people are attending the conference, USA Today reports.
‘March on the DNC’ spokesman Hatem Abudayyah said Monday morning that DNC organizers expected tens of thousands of protesters, enough to fill the park and the march route. However, by the afternoon, several thousand protesters had gathered for speeches and the park was only half full.
The coalition of more than 200 groups includes advocates for a wide range of issues, from reproductive rights to racial justice. Many were expected to come from the Palestinian and Arab communities in Illinois and neighboring states.
The four-day Democratic National Convention began on Monday and is scheduled to end on Thursday. Another major protest was scheduled on the final day when Kamala Harris is to formally accept the presidential nomination, reports news agency Reuters.