Anti-Israel groups are accusing the City of Chicago and the DNC of trying to “protect” President Biden from protests at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. These groups, including the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and the Anti-War Coalition, have filed lawsuits against the city alleging that their First Amendment rights are being violated. They claim that the city denied their parade permits near the convention and offered an alternative route in a different location, potentially to shield Biden from their political messages.
The 2024 Democratic Convention is scheduled to be held in Chicago in August, where the official nominee for the presidential election is expected to be announced. The groups protesting outside the convention allege that the city is working with the DNC to limit the number of peaceful protests by denying permit applications on the grounds of being duplicative. They have filed for a preliminary injunction to gain better access to the event for their planned protest, which has been named “March on the DNC 2024.” The groups assert that Biden has the power to stop the suffering in Gaza with a single phone call.
Democrats are bracing for massive protests at the convention as anti-Israel protests gain momentum across the country. The Washington Post reported that the August convention could see significant protests, in contrast to the GOP convention. Members of the coalition have vowed to protest outside the convention with or without permits. The protests planned for the Democratic National Convention are expected to be more robust compared to those planned for the Republican National Convention in July.
Elon Musk reacted to concerns among Democrats regarding the impact of the protests on the party’s image in August. He suggested that the Democratic National Convention has the potential to surpass the violent protests seen in 1968 during the convention under then-President Lyndon Johnson. Musk’s comments reference the seven days of violent protests over the Vietnam War that took place after the deaths of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. The protesters outside the 2024 DNC are determined to make it the largest mobilization for Palestine in the city’s history.
The coalition of anti-Israel groups continues to press for their First Amendment rights to protest near the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. They claim that the city and DNC are trying to limit their ability to hold peaceful protests, and they are seeking better access to the event for their planned demonstration. Democrats are anticipating significant protests at the convention in August, while the coalition has vowed to march with or without permits. The protests outside the DNC are expected to be more extensive than those planned for the Republican National Convention in July.
