ON Monday, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, accusing the U.S. government of funding genocide in Gaza.
The protesters rallied near the United Center, where the convention was being held, calling for a fundamental shift in U.S. policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“I’m sure some people believe that, me personally, I’m of the opinion that we need more of a systemic change. It’s definitely a concern that I feel Kamala Harris has not voiced any significant concerns about Palestine. She will continue, it seems like she will continue the same exact policies Biden has, and really? That’s not what we want, we want an end to the genocide,” protester said.
Protesters expressed frustration over what they see as a lack of meaningful change in U.S. policy. They are particularly critical of Vice President Kamala Harris for her perceived continuity with President Biden’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“Both parties have been funding Israel and have continued to fund Israel and are supporting Israel, so they’re both complicit. I think there are people who will not vote at all rather than vote for her unless she makes a change in the policy clear,” protester said.
In response to anticipated unrest, city and state authorities deployed a riot net, along with state and city police and Secret Service agents. They aimed to avoid a repeat of the 1968 Democratic Convention, where anti-war protests turned violent.
Nearly 4,000 Democratic delegates are in Chicago for the party’s national convention.
