Who are the protesters – and what do they want?published at 17:11 British Summer Time
Mike Wendling
Reporting from Chicago
Image source, ReutersProtestors took to the streets in Chicago on Sunday ahead of the DNC
Protesters will be gathering on the streets around the United Center today, with another major event planned for the last day of the convention on Thursday.
The protesters represent hundreds of local and national groups and come with a variety of concerns – among them immigration, abortion rights and criminal justice reform.
But where they differ most from the Democratic Party leadership is over Israel’s war in Gaza. The organisers call it a genocide and their website makes their intentions clear: “The march on the DNC will be a march for Palestine!”
They’re expecting tens of thousands to turn out and have been involved in a protracted legal battle with the city over the parade route. The protesters say it’s not long enough to accommodate everyone who wants to join in.
We’ll see if that becomes an issue. Protests at the Republican National Convention last month in Milwaukee did not draw as many people as activists expected.
But Chicago is a much bigger city with many more left-wing and pro-Palestinian activists, who are anxious to make their views heard.
Read More: DNC live updates: Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago
