VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS
Reporting from the Republican and Democratic National Conventions
‘Our voices are being heard now’: Pro-Palestinian activists make their presense felt at DNC
By Eleanor Shaw
CHICAGO — Outside the hotel housing Virginia delegates throughout the Democratic National Convention, throngs of protesters chanted on Sunday as speakers took turns using the mic to denounce the Democratic Party.
“Let’s call bullshit on the Democrats hiding behind a shadow of women and LGBTQ+ rights while funding police violence and genocide,” one speaker said as the Virginia delegates ate their dinner a few yards away.
The approach spilled into Monday as the pro-Palestinian activists sought to send a message to political leaders. The protesters waved Palestinian and LGBTQ+ flags and held up signs condemning Israel and criticizing Project 2025 — a proposal drafted by conservative groups in anticipation of former President Donald Trump winning November’s election. Other signs read “ABORTION JUSTICE NOW” and “DNC = DECADES NO CHANGE.”
Police officers on bikes stood watch along the crowd’s edge and remained straight-faced as speakers denounced their institution and the justice system.
These protests were among several planned around Chicago in response to the Democratic National Convention. A major rally and march started in Union Park on Monday, just a few blocks from the United Center, where officials such as President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were scheduled to speak on Monday night.
A succession of speakers took the stage to criticize America’s foreign policy and support of Israel. Funding and arms sales were particularly hot topics.
“We have over 50,000 people killed, and no one seems to be doing anything about it or addressing the issue,” said Husien, a Palestinian who declined to give his last name. “A lot of these congressmen – whether it’s Democrat or Republican … this seems to be the status quo where nobody has ever spoken about this cause. It hasn’t gotten the attention that it deserves. Our voices are being heard now.”
Husien, whose parents were “forced out” of the West Bank in the 1960s, said the protest’s cause means a great deal to him, and he hopes protesters’ voices will be heard.
“We’re tired of … our land being stolen,” Husien said.
After marching from Union Park, protesters ultimately disrupted delegates’ arrival to the United Center, prompting security to route all delegates, volunteers and media through a single gate. Groups hailing from a variety of states protested in solidarity with Palestinians with the goal of inspiring change by putting their message in front of Democratic leaders and delegates.
Raegan Schultz, a Michigander brandishing a sign inspired by singer Chappell Roan that read “G-O-T-T-O-G-O, CAPITALISM HAS GOT TO GO.” Schultz said she will protest throughout the week in support of an arms embargo.
“We want to put the pressure on our uncommitted delegates,” Schultz said. “We want them to be pushing the candidate that gets nominated by the DNC to commit to an arms embargo.”
Schultz, among other attendees, said she won’t support Vice President Kamala Harris in November unless the Democratic Party’s expected nominee commits to eliminating aid to Israel.
“This is a popular opinion,” Schultz said. “The majority of Americans want this and don’t want our tax dollars to go towards bombing Palestinians — bombing kids and civilians.”
Many protesters said they’re concerned Harris isn’t supportive enough of pushing for a cease-fire in Gaza and standing up for Palestinians.
“The administration she’s a part of continues to support and send aid to Israel,” Schultz said, adding Harris’s stance toward the Middle East as vice president is “unacceptable.”
Several larger groups joined the protest — many of which focused on anti-imperialist rhetoric. This included the Chicago-based Puerto Rican Liberation Front. One of its members, a masked man named Urraca, said the group saw parallels between the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the occupation of Puerto Rico by Spain and its current status as a U.S. territory.
“We believe that the same genocide that’s happening in Palestine is the same genocide and destruction that came to our people through imperialism,” Urraca said.
Members of another group, the far-left militant organization Weather Underground, took part, too.
Anthony, a Weatherman and self-described “American patriot against genocide,” made similar comments denouncing imperialism.
Despite different groups and agendas, protesters remained united by one goal: Urging Harris to cut off Israel.
“Supporting a ceasefire without action is lip service,” Schultz said. “It’s meaningless, and we expect more from [Harris]. Right now, the policies [that the Trump and Biden] administrations have enacted look very similar on paper.”
Husien said he would rather cast his vote for an independent, third-party candidate such as Jill Stein.
“Democrats or Republicans don’t seem to care,” Husien said. “We’re not going to go with that. They don’t deserve our vote.”
Husien said he doesn’t believe Harris or the Democratic Party will change their stance on policies regarding Israel, Palestinians or the Middle East anytime soon, repeating the word “never.” Like Husien, other protesters said they won’t vote Democratic if Harris does not make a commitment to ending the conflict in Gaza.
“If we get a candidate that supports an arms embargo, I will definitely vote for them,” Schultz said. “There is no question in my mind.”
Even if nothing changes during the Democratic National Convention, Husien said it’s still important for people to show up to pro-Palestinian events, such as this week’s anti-DNC protests, to educate themselves and continue to “put pressure” on political figures for an eventual change.
“You can’t just kill everybody and take all their land,” Husien said. “That’s not how the world works.”
