The Democrats are trying to ignore this major issue within their party.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators are anticipated to rally outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, voicing strong opposition to the Biden-Harris administration’s stance on Israel. This protest threatens to overshadow Vice President Kamala Harris’ highly anticipated presidential nomination event.
A coalition of mainly left-wing and Arab-American groups is orchestrating two significant protest marches. The first will take place on Monday at noon, preceding President Biden’s evening speech, and the second will occur on Thursday at 5 p.m., just before Harris’ acceptance address.
Hatem Abudayyeh, executive director of the Arab American Action Network, criticized Harris for her support of Israel, pointing to her refusal to endorse an arms embargo as evidence of her lack of genuine empathy. He argued that if Harris loses to former President Donald Trump, the blame will fall squarely on the Democratic leadership. He likened the current situation to the Vietnam War, suggesting it represents a critical turning point for this generation.
The protests are set to be based at Chicago’s Union Park, conveniently located about ten minutes from the United Center, the convention’s primary venue. While there was significant anticipation for large-scale demonstrations when Biden was the presumptive nominee, his retirement and endorsement of Harris have introduced some uncertainty about protest sizes. Nonetheless, organizers remain confident of a turnout in the tens of thousands.
Biden has faced intense criticism, including being branded “Genocide Joe” during large protests, such as the one in November where demonstrators painted the White House gates red. Although Harris has managed to address large crowds with minimal disruption, she faced notable heckling in Detroit on August 7. Her response, a firm rebuke of the protestors, received mixed reactions, with some praising her resolve and others condemning it as dismissive.
The protest coalition, which has secured a permit to march near the convention, is grappling with last-minute logistical issues, including the use of sound systems and portable toilets. Downtown Chicago businesses are preemptively boarding up their storefronts in anticipation of the demonstrations.
In contrast, the Republican convention in Milwaukee last month saw only a few hundred protesters, reflecting a lower level of dissent. The Democrats, however, are seen as more susceptible to pressure from activists.
The upcoming convention is expected to feature extensive praise for Biden’s legacy, as party leaders look to smooth over the transition of the nomination from him to Harris. History shows that major protest plans can sometimes fizzle, as seen in the 2008 Democratic convention where initial militant actions gave way to more peaceful demonstrations. If the protests escalate into significant disruptions similar to those seen on college campuses earlier this year, Chicago police will be prepared to maintain order.