Federal judge to rule on DNC demonstration zone fight between city, protest groups
CHICAGO — A federal judge on Monday promised to hand down a decision on Aug. 13, just six days before the start of the Democratic National Convention, on a long battle between the city and a coalition of pro-Palestinian groups on routes to be used by demonstrators.
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The coalition sued over the city’s proposed march route, dissatisfied with the city’s proposed 1.1 mile march route that would have demonstrators exit Union Park and proceed west on Washington Boulevard before heading north on North Hermitage Avenue to West Maypole Avenue. Demonstrators would then head west on West Maypole Avenue to the entrance of Park 578 and continue west on Maypole to Damen Avenue before heading north on Damen to Lake Street. They would then head east on Lake back to Union Park.
Arguing in federal court for the demonstrators, attorney Chris Williams said a longer, 2.3 mile route heading west out of Union Park and proceeding along Washington Boulevard to Western Avenue, makes more sense, is safer, and keeps demonstrators closer to the United Center.
Once at Western Avenue, demonstrators would head north to West Lake Street, then east on Lake to South Damen Avenue, south on Damen to Washington Boulevard, and stop at Park 578 for a speakers’ program. The demonstrators would then head east on Washington back to Union Park.
The city does not want demonstrators traversing the length of Washington Boulevard, as the route conflicts with the “Red Zone” that will be established around the United Center.
“We got people bringing buses, charter buses from Michigan, from Wisconsin, from Minnesota,” said Hatem Abudayyeh with the US Palestinian Community Network and a spokesman for the Coalition to March on the DNC.
Abudayyeh alleged city attorneys have failed to negotiate in good faith. City attorneys said they’re not allowed to comment on pending litigation.
The case is before US District Judge Andrea Wood.
Separately, the city will begin accepting applications Tuesday morning for 45-minute slots at a speaker’s platform with sound amplification equipment near the United Center.
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