August 20 — Chicago

Story by Abby Allard with additional reporting from Eleanor Shaw

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TRT: 1:34

Lower Thirds:

21;16 — Anthony, protester from Chicago

48;28 — Husien, protester from Chicago

1:08;21 — Reagan Schultz, activist from Michigan

Captioning: 

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(NAT sound from the protest) 

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(VO)  As Virginia Democrats got energized upon arriving in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, just outside their hotel on Sunday, pro-Palestinian protesters began making their voices heard right at their doorstep.

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(SOT) We want an end to the genocide, we wanna free Palestine, we wanna end US imperialism.

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(VO) That continued Monday as even more activists convened for a rally and marched to the United Center. They are calling for more than just attention—they want action and are demanding the United States to stop providing Israel with weapons. Many feel disillusioned by the current political options.

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(SOT)  We need someone who is going to say that…I’m gonna earn your vote. I’m not just gonna assume that you are going to vote for me because you don’t want just Donald Trump to win. Because right now the policies that both administrations have enacted look very similar on paper.

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(VO) Many also say that until Kamala Harris expresses her support for Palestinians, they will not support her.

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(SOT) Honestly as a Palestinian neither candidate fits us, maybe an independent like Jill Stein but Democrats or Republicans don’t seem to care. Everybody is just apec puppet. They don’t deserve our vote.

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(VO) Protesters plan more events throughout the week. And the message they aimed at Democratic leaders and delegates echoed off the buildings in downtown Chicago: 

(Nat sound)

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(SOT) Reporting from Chicago, I’m Abby Allard.​

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