Protesters tear down security fence, thousands march outside Democratic National Convention
August 19, 2024 4:31 PMupdate August 19, 2024
By Associated Press
August 19, 2024 4:31 PMupdate August 19, 2024
By Associated Press
Police break up a demonstration near the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.
chicago —
Dozens of protesters broke through a security fence near the site of the Democratic National Convention on its opening day 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 Israel-Hamas war. As the larger group marched peacefully, a few dozen who broke away tore down pieces of the security fence.
Several protesters who had managed to get through the fence were detained and handcuffed by the police. Officers put on gas masks as some protesters tried to bring down a second fence set up in front of police. Authorities said the inner security perimeter surrounding the convention site was not breached and there was no threat to those attending the convention.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said some of the protesters who took down the fence threw water bottles and other items at police. Police de-escalated the situation without using their batons or chemicals, he said.
Dozens of protesters broke through a security fence near the site of the Democratic National Convention on its opening day 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 Israel-Hamas war. As the larger group marched peacefully, a few dozen who broke away tore down pieces of the security fence.
Several protesters who had managed to get through the fence were detained and handcuffed by the police. Officers put on gas masks as some protesters tried to bring down a second fence set up in front of police. Authorities said the inner security perimeter surrounding the convention site was not breached and there was no threat to those attending the convention.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said some of the protesters who took down the fence threw water bottles and other items at police. Police de-escalated the situation without using their batons or chemicals, he said.
A protester confronts police during a demonstration at the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.
"When you have people infiltrate a crowd and they want to commit acts of violence, vandalism, we are going to stop them," said Snelling, who walked in a group of officers ahead of the protesters Monday. "We are not going to tolerate anyone who is going to vandalize things in our city."
Members of the crowd chanted "End the occupation now" and then "The whole world is watching!" just as anti-Vietnam War protesters did during the infamous 1968 convention in Chicago when police clashed with protesters on live television. Families gathered on their porches and outside their doors as protesters marched by. Some children wore keffiyeh, blew bubbles or held "free fist bumps" signs.
The march happened just as President Joe Biden, who has been the target of intense criticism from pro-Palestinian groups, including the marchers, was doing a walk-through of the largely empty United Center. Biden was scheduled to address the party in the evening.
"Biden, you can't hide. We charge you with genocide," the marchers chanted amid the beating of drums. They also referred to him as "Genocide Joe" and lodged similar chants at Vice President Kamala Harris.
"When you have people infiltrate a crowd and they want to commit acts of violence, vandalism, we are going to stop them," said Snelling, who walked in a group of officers ahead of the protesters Monday. "We are not going to tolerate anyone who is going to vandalize things in our city."
Members of the crowd chanted "End the occupation now" and then "The whole world is watching!" just as anti-Vietnam War protesters did during the infamous 1968 convention in Chicago when police clashed with protesters on live television. Families gathered on their porches and outside their doors as protesters marched by. Some children wore keffiyeh, blew bubbles or held "free fist bumps" signs.
The march happened just as President Joe Biden, who has been the target of intense criticism from pro-Palestinian groups, including the marchers, was doing a walk-through of the largely empty United Center. Biden was scheduled to address the party in the evening.
"Biden, you can't hide. We charge you with genocide," the marchers chanted amid the beating of drums. They also referred to him as "Genocide Joe" and lodged similar chants at Vice President Kamala Harris.
Protesters gather for a march to the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.
'You got to do something'
Protesters said their plans have not changed since Biden left the race and the party quickly rallied behind Harris, who will formally accept the Democratic nomination this week. Activists said they were ready to amplify their progressive message before the nation's top Democratic leaders.
"People are dying," said Cameron Benrud, 25, a high school special education teacher from Minneapolis. He drove five hours to attend the rally at Union Park to call on Democratic officials to halt funding to Israel.
"I'm from little old Minnesota, and you feel kind of powerless. ... You got to do something," he said.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said authorities were well prepared. "The city of Chicago is really good at things like this," he told a news conference. "We are ready."
Organizers had hoped at least 20,000 people would take part in Monday's rally and march, but it appeared that only a few thousand were present, though city officials declined to give a crowd estimate.
'You got to do something'
Protesters said their plans have not changed since Biden left the race and the party quickly rallied behind Harris, who will formally accept the Democratic nomination this week. Activists said they were ready to amplify their progressive message before the nation's top Democratic leaders.
"People are dying," said Cameron Benrud, 25, a high school special education teacher from Minneapolis. He drove five hours to attend the rally at Union Park to call on Democratic officials to halt funding to Israel.
"I'm from little old Minnesota, and you feel kind of powerless. ... You got to do something," he said.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said authorities were well prepared. "The city of Chicago is really good at things like this," he told a news conference. "We are ready."
Organizers had hoped at least 20,000 people would take part in Monday's rally and march, but it appeared that only a few thousand were present, though city officials declined to give a crowd estimate.
A protester yells during a demonstration before a march to the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.
"We're proud of the turnout, especially considering the degree of the repression from the city," said organizer Faayani Aboma Mijana.
The Chicago area has one of the largest Palestinian communities in the nation, and buses were bringing activists from all over the country.
Taylor Cook, an organizer with the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, traveled from Atlanta for the march. Cook said the group was pushing all Democrats to call for an end to aid to Israel, with a particular focus on Harris.
"We're saying to Kamala, she has been complicit in this. People think it's just Joe Biden, but she is vice president," Cook said. "So we're saying, you need to stop if you want our vote."
Medea Benjamin, who traveled to Chicago from Washington, D.C., with a women-led group of protesters calling for peace, said she was shocked that the Biden administration recently approved an additional $20 billion in weapons sales to Israel.
"There's an incredible discrepancy in what people are calling for in this country and what the administration is doing," she said ahead of the rally in Union Park. "We're so disgusted by this."
Pro-Palestinian supporters descended on the park, west of the Loop business district, for the rally.
Prior to the march, independent presidential candidate Cornel West addressed the crowd, which welcomed him with cheers.
"This is not about some Machiavellian politics or some utilitarian calculation about an election," he yelled into a microphone. "This is about morality. This is about spirituality."
"We're proud of the turnout, especially considering the degree of the repression from the city," said organizer Faayani Aboma Mijana.
The Chicago area has one of the largest Palestinian communities in the nation, and buses were bringing activists from all over the country.
Taylor Cook, an organizer with the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, traveled from Atlanta for the march. Cook said the group was pushing all Democrats to call for an end to aid to Israel, with a particular focus on Harris.
"We're saying to Kamala, she has been complicit in this. People think it's just Joe Biden, but she is vice president," Cook said. "So we're saying, you need to stop if you want our vote."
Medea Benjamin, who traveled to Chicago from Washington, D.C., with a women-led group of protesters calling for peace, said she was shocked that the Biden administration recently approved an additional $20 billion in weapons sales to Israel.
"There's an incredible discrepancy in what people are calling for in this country and what the administration is doing," she said ahead of the rally in Union Park. "We're so disgusted by this."
Pro-Palestinian supporters descended on the park, west of the Loop business district, for the rally.
Prior to the march, independent presidential candidate Cornel West addressed the crowd, which welcomed him with cheers.
"This is not about some Machiavellian politics or some utilitarian calculation about an election," he yelled into a microphone. "This is about morality. This is about spirituality."
Counterprotesters arrive at Union Park before a march to the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.
Pro-Israel supporters
Around 40 pro-Israel supporters walked around the park during the rally. Remaining 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 Chicago Jewish Alliance who walked with the pro-Israel group, said their intent was to "make our presence felt." He said the group applied for permits that were not approved by the city.
"The pro-Palestine protesters have gotten multiple permits, including a march, which seems to be a little bit weighted on one side," Weiner said.
Snelling praised police and march organizers for a peaceful Sunday night protest calling for abortion and LGBTQ+ rights and an end to the war in Gaza. Chicago police said two people were arrested on misdemeanor charges of resisting police and damaging property.
Some businesses boarded up their windows as a precaution, and county courts said they would open more space in case of mass arrests. Chicago police say officers have undergone extensive training on constitutional policing and de-escalation tactics.
Coalition activists and the city have been at odds over the location of the protests and other logistics. A judge sided with the city over an approximately 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) march route, which organizers argued was not big enough for the expected crowds.
Not a single speaker or spectator showed up to a speakers' stage offered by city officials near the United Center. Eight groups with progressive agendas had signed up for 45-minute speaking slots on Monday. On other days, some conservative groups, including the Illinois Policy Institute think tank, have plans to speak.
Also Monday, the Philadelphia-based Poor People's Army, which advocates for economic justice, planned to set up at Humboldt Park on the city's northwest side to feature events with third-party presidential candidates Jill Stein and West, plus a 5-kilometer march.
Pro-Israel supporters
Around 40 pro-Israel supporters walked around the park during the rally. Remaining 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 Chicago Jewish Alliance who walked with the pro-Israel group, said their intent was to "make our presence felt." He said the group applied for permits that were not approved by the city.
"The pro-Palestine protesters have gotten multiple permits, including a march, which seems to be a little bit weighted on one side," Weiner said.
Snelling praised police and march organizers for a peaceful Sunday night protest calling for abortion and LGBTQ+ rights and an end to the war in Gaza. Chicago police said two people were arrested on misdemeanor charges of resisting police and damaging property.
Some businesses boarded up their windows as a precaution, and county courts said they would open more space in case of mass arrests. Chicago police say officers have undergone extensive training on constitutional policing and de-escalation tactics.
Coalition activists and the city have been at odds over the location of the protests and other logistics. A judge sided with the city over an approximately 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) march route, which organizers argued was not big enough for the expected crowds.
Not a single speaker or spectator showed up to a speakers' stage offered by city officials near the United Center. Eight groups with progressive agendas had signed up for 45-minute speaking slots on Monday. On other days, some conservative groups, including the Illinois Policy Institute think tank, have plans to speak.
Also Monday, the Philadelphia-based Poor People's Army, which advocates for economic justice, planned to set up at Humboldt Park on the city's northwest side to feature events with third-party presidential candidates Jill Stein and West, plus a 5-kilometer march.
Communist activist slams Dems for 'deceptive' messaging at DNC: 'They need votes'
Thousands of left-wing protesters descend on Chicago as DNC kicks off
By Emma Colton , Andrew Mark Miller Fox News
Published August 19, 2024 8:44pm EDT
Anti-Israel protesters gather outside DNC
Anti-Israel protesters gather outside the Democratic National Convention to protest the party's perceived support for the alleged genocide of the Palestinian people.
CHICAGO — Communist protesters outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago slammed Democrats' message of "unity" this week, saying it's a narrative commonly revived by party leaders when they "need votes."
"They ask for unity when they need votes. But when you're struggling, when you can't pay rent, you know, it's hard to afford groceries, then there's no unity. Then you're on your own. Then they're all just like, 'It's your fault. You don't make enough money, you're just poor and dumb or whatever.' Then there's no talk of unity," a co-founder of the Revolutionary Communists of America told Fox News Digital in an interview outside the United Center.
"And then when they need votes and just get rich off their career in politics, then there's unity. So, completely false, completely deceptive. Our task is to kind of expose that to everyone," he continued.
Thousands of protesters descended on Chicago this week to rail against the Biden administration's handling of the war in the Middle East and its support of Israel after Hamas' attack on the nation last year. Protesters ranging from socialist, feminist, communist and environmental groups gathered at Union Park on Monday morning, which is located just blocks from the DNC's campus, before marching in the city.
The DNC kicks off in earnest Monday evening, when it will spotlight high-level Democrats in speeches, including President Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The Revolutionary Communists of America told Fox Digital that they anticipate Biden's speech on Monday evening will be riddled with "lies and deception," noting he's unsure if Democrats overall can quell the war in the Middle East.
"We expect just empty phrases, lip service, lies and deception," the communist activists continued.
"We don't, you know, necessarily believe the Democrats are capable of doing anything for the Palestinian people," the group's co-founder added.
Communist protesters are shown outside the DNC in Chicago. (Fox Digital)
Signs reading "Democrats fund the genocide of Palestinians" and "End U.S. aid to Israel" dominated the protest on Monday as dozens of left-wing groups joined the "March on the DNC 2024." The protest demands U.S. leaders cut all funding to Israel as well as "Immigrant Rights and Legalization for All!" "Defend LGBTQIA+ & Reproductive Rights!" and "Stop police crimes! Community control of the police now!" according to the group's website.
Co-founder of the Revolutionary Communists of America speaks to Fox Digital in Chicago. (Fox Digital)
"The Democratic Party is complicit in the surging right-wing attacks on women, workers, and the LGBTQ+ community. In spite of their lip service to the women’s and LGBTQ+ movements, the Democratic Party has not backed their words with actions," the protest website reads.
A demonstrator is led away by police outside the United Center where the DNC is being held in Chicago on Aug. 19 2024. (Fox News Digital)
The protests escalated Monday as the convention center began to fill with high-profile elected officials, delegates and supporters of the Harris-Walz ticket. Protesters managed to dismantle at least three panels of fencing surrounding the convention early Monday evening before police detained a handful of protesters.
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