DNC in Chicago, Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to descend upon Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, with planned marches aimed at criticizing the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel.

The demonstrations, organized by a coalition of left-wing and Arab- and Muslim-American groups, are set to occur on Monday and Thursday, coinciding with significant moments in the convention.

The first protest will take place at noon on Monday before President Biden’s evening appearance, and the second will occur at 5 p.m. on Thursday, just ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’ acceptance speech.

The protests come amid growing discontent over U.S. foreign policy, particularly the administration’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. Hatem Abudayyeh, executive director of the Arab American Action Network, voiced strong criticism of both Biden and Harris, alleging that their policies and stances are detrimental to Palestinian interests.

“The Democratic Party is the target and not Joe Biden as an individual or Kamala Harris as an individual … She’s just as complicit as Biden is,” Abudayyeh asserted. He described the current situation as the “Vietnam War of our generation” and warned that the administration’s policies might have severe political repercussions.

DNC in Chicago, Protest organizers are planning to set up camp at Chicago’s Union Park, which is roughly a ten-minute walk from the United Center, the main convention venue.

Despite significant anticipation for these protests, there remains some uncertainty regarding the scale of participation. Initially, protests were expected to be massive when Biden, 81, was presumed to be the nominee.

However, his decision to retire and endorse Harris, 59, on July 21 has introduced some unpredictability regarding protest attendance, although organizers still anticipate large crowds.

Previous protests against Biden have been fervent, with demonstrators denouncing him as “Genocide Joe” in passionate displays of dissent. For instance, a protest last November saw thousands of people painting the White House gates red and chanting derogatory slogans against the President.

However, Harris has managed to address large rallies with relatively few interruptions. An exception occurred in Detroit on August 7, when protesters interrupted her speech with chants of “We won’t vote for genocide,” prompting Harris to respond sharply, “If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that.” Her response garnered mixed reactions, with some praising her firmness while others criticized it as dismissive of the protesters’ concerns.

The protest coalition has been granted a permit to march near the convention venue but has faced last-minute logistical issues, including debates over the use of sound systems and portable toilets in Union Park. Businesses in downtown Chicago have preemptively boarded up their storefronts in anticipation of the protests. DNC in Chicago.

In contrast, pro-Israel groups, including the Israeli American Council, have also secured permits for a rally on Wednesday night, with potential for additional informal counter-protesting on other nights.

The forthcoming demonstrations are expected to overshadow the convention’s planned celebration of Biden’s legacy. The Democratic National Convention is intended to highlight unity and support for Harris as she formally accepts the presidential nomination.

However, if protests escalate similarly to recent anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses or if there are scenes of violence or mass arrests, it could divert attention from the convention’s central focus.

Historical precedents show that political conventions often experience planned protests that sometimes fall short of their intended impact. For instance, the “Recreate 68” effort during the 2008 Democratic convention aimed to mirror the intense anti-Vietnam War protests of 1968 but resulted in relatively peaceful demonstrations after an initial crackdown.

Similarly, the 2016 Democratic convention in Philadelphia faced significant protest activity from anti-Hillary Clinton factions, yet did not prevent her from securing the nomination.

As the convention approaches, Chicago police are preparing to manage the anticipated protests, ensuring that any potential disruptions are controlled. The situation remains fluid, and the final impact of the protests on the convention’s proceedings and public perception will depend on how events unfold. DNC in Chicago.