Thousands set to protest war in Gaza at DNC in Chicago this week
CHICAGO — Thousands of activists are expected to converge in Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention, hoping to call attention to abortion rights, economic injustice, and the war in Gaza.
While Vice President Kamala Harris has energized crowds of supporters as she prepares to accept the Democratic nomination, progressive activists maintain their mission remains the same.
Activists say they learned lessons from last month’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and are predicting bigger crowds and more robust demonstrations in Chicago, a city with deep social activism roots.
Who is protesting?
Demonstrations are expected every day of the convention and, while their agendas vary, many activists agree an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war is the priority.
Things are set to kick off today on the convention’s eve with an abortion rights march along iconic Michigan Avenue.
Organizer Linda Loew said even though Democrats have pushed to safeguard reproductive rights at home, the issue is international. They will march in solidarity with people everywhere who struggle for the right to control what happens to their bodies, as well as to protest the money the US spends to back wars that could be used for healthcare, she says.
“We believe that the billions of dollars that continue to flow to the State of Israel and the flow of weapons are having an inordinate and horrific impact, but in particular on women, children, and the unborn,” she says.
“All of these things are tied together.”