On Sunday, the eve of the Democratic National Convention, Chicago witnessed violent anti-Israel protests. Demonstrators disrupted a delegates’ party and one warned: “Welcome to hell week.”
Protesters were eager to take on prominent Democrats over the war in Gaza, with hundreds pouring into the streets and vowing to “bring the war home,” as seen on social media.
Demonstrations are expected throughout the week as Democrats nationally celebrate the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris (59) and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (60).
At one point, protesters attacked a delegate party at Navy Pier, where a troublemaker took the stage, grabbed the microphone and accused the crowd of “funding a genocide,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
“The Harris-Biden administration continues to send money to Israel,” the protester said before being dragged off the stage, according to a video posted by an anti-Israel group. “Free Palestine!”
Others gathered outside the event and reportedly warned of a “week of justice.”
An organizer who gave only her name as Jinan said the troublemakers were there to confront the Democratic Party over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
“Welcome to Hell Week,” she said, according to the Sun-Times.
“DNC, go home,” protesters waving Palestinian flags chanted, according to a reporter from The Blaze. “Or we bring the war home.”
Others who joined the protests on Sunday also reportedly called for stronger abortion and LGBTG rights.
“She’s not going to take a legitimate stance. So we have to get Kamala Harris to come to the negotiating table and make a legitimate concession, and then we have to make a legitimate push to win the Arab and Muslim votes,” protester Nael said, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
“You can’t just acknowledge things and submit high-level abstracts to get our vote.”
Photos taken by a Chicago Sun-Times reporter show dozens of Chicago police officers on bicycles and other law enforcement officers guarding the nearby monument to John Logan, a Union Army general during the Civil War and later a U.S. Senator from Illinois.
As the protest ended on Sunday evening, according to the Sun-Times reporter, some demonstrators chanted “From the river to the sea,” which the Anti-Defamation League interprets as a call for the destruction of Israel.
On Monday, massive protests are expected to continue in Union Park in the Windy City as the party convention begins about 10 minutes away.
