Strict security and large demonstrations are likely in Chicago, Illinois, during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) scheduled Aug. 19-22. Some of the protests will likely cause significant disruptions in parts of the city and may lead to clashes with police. While tight security measures are common in locations hosting national party conventions in the US, authorities will probably seek to augment security in Chicago beyond levels typical for such events due to two factors: the likelihood of pro-Palestinian and other protest activity in Chicago during the convention as well as the assassination attempt that targeted former President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Moreover, protest activity and associated disruptions will likely affect the vicinities of political events sponsored by the Democratic and Republican parties in the lead-up to the Nov. 5 elections.
The Democratic Party will hold a celebratory roll call during its convention in Chicago, affirming the party’s nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris as its presidential candidate. Harris secured the Democratic presidential nomination on Aug. 5 after DNC delegates concluded five days of online balloting. On Aug. 6, the Harris campaign announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz would be her vice presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket. The DNC’s main events will be at the United Center, located along West Madison Street, and other DNC-related events will be hosted at the McCormick Place West Building, Millennium Hall, and other hotels, parks, and restaurants throughout the city. Most of the DNC’s itinerary has remained the same despite incumbent President Joe Biden’s decision to opt out of the race. The president is scheduled to be at the convention and be one of the main speakers. Some 50,000 out-of-town visitors are expected to visit Chicago for the convention.
Multiple organizations plan to demonstrate around the DNC, but the largest protests will likely be those affiliated with “March on the DNC 2024,” a coalition of around 125 organizations that seeks to express pro-Palestinian sentiments and publicly criticize the Biden administration’s policies vis-à-vis the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, among other aims. The biggest March on the DNC 2024 rallies will probably be at Union Park, located about 0.8 km (0.5 miles) northeast of the United Center. Thousands of people will likely participate in the protests, some of whom may clash with authorities. Clashes are particularly likely if demonstrators attempt to disrupt DNC events or enter restricted security areas. Protests are also possible at city landmarks and on notable thoroughfares, including Millenium Park, the Navy Pier, and Michigan Avenue. Demonstrators may attempt to set up tents in public areas and block traffic along main highways and avenues. Some activists may also attempt to vandalize public and private property, especially that of entities they perceive to have connections with the Israeli government or have taken pro-Israeli positions with regard to the Israel-Hamas war.
Like the recent Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, officials plan to deploy increased security for the DNC in Chicago. Several streets around McCormick Place and the United Center will be closed to the public from the evenings of Aug. 16 and 17, respectively, until at least late Aug. 22. Members of the Chicago and Illinois State Police departments, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Secret Service will oversee security around the convention, and around 500 officers from other cities and states will support the Chicago Police Department in regular patrolling throughout the city during the week of the convention. Despite the intensive security preparations, authorities have said that they are not aware of any credible threats against the DNC. They have also indicated that the convention will occur in a controlled environment that has been assessed for months, in contrast to the outdoor rally where the assassination attempt against former President Trump occurred in Pennsylvania on July 13.
Demonstrations will likely continue to materialize and occur with increasing frequency near election-related events after the convention concludes. The presidential and vice presidential nominees of both major parties will also ramp up their campaign activities as the election nears. Protest activity is most likely to affect campaign rallies that are held in major cities in the so-called battleground states, such as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Detroit, Michigan; Atlanta, Georgia; Phoenix, Arizona; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Any such demonstrations that materialize will probably only cause localized disruptions near rally venues; however, broader disruptions and clashes between demonstrators and security forces are possible if protesters attempt to directly disrupt campaign events.
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