DNC Day 4: OEMC update, protests planned, and more
CHICAGO — Protestors have one last day to spread their message to a global audience as the Democratic National Convention comes to a conclusion Thursday.
Two more demonstrations will take place Thursday, both starting at Union Park.
Ending the War in Gaza has been protestors’ central message throughout the week.
OEMC Update: Day 4
The Chicago Police Department and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) described how police and secret service would monitor a constantly changing environment during their briefing for the final day of the DNC.
CPD said the key to maintaining peaceful protests 72 hours into the mega event was communication between both sides, and it will remain a central point on Day 4.
“We were able to talk to organizers. They had their marshals go in, de-escalate it,” Snelling said at the OEMC briefing. “Those people were released and moved back into the march.”
Protest Recap
A sit-in occurred outside the United Center Wednesday night. A group of uncommitted delegates said it was protesting a lack of a Palestinian voice.
The delegates said the DNC denied their request for a Palestinian-American speaker on stage. Congresswoman Delia Ramirez expressed support for them in a social media post and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar briefly joined the group.
Dozens arrested after protestors clash with Chicago police near Israel Consulate
Early Wednesday, more than 1,000 people protested the Biden Administration for supplying weapons to Israel’s government for the war. They rallied in Union Park then marched, without a permit, toward Park #578 — but police blocked them from entering because a pro-Israel event was scheduled to take place in the park near Washington and Damen.
Palestinian-Americans, Arab-Americans and Muslim organizations made up the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine. Many in the crowd were families pushing their children in strollers.
“The assembly remained peaceful and safely dispersed without incident. We will continue working with organizers to provide resources and safe areas for individuals to exercise their First Amendment rights peacefully,” CPD tweeted Thursday evening.
On the DNC’s first day, dozens of protestors broke through a security fence near the United Center. On Tuesday, police made nearly 60 arrests after clashing with protestors outside the Israeli Consulate.
On Wednesday night, a CPD spokesperson reported no arrests.
Thursday’s two protests were scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The Democratic National Convention in Chicago concluded Thursday night with Vice President Kamala Harris accepting the party’s nomination to the land’s highest office.
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Dozens arrested after protestors clash with Chicago police near Israel Consulate
Chicago has hosted Democrats 12 times, the last being nearly 30 years ago when President Bill Clinton was nominated for a second term.
WGN Cover Story: Why Chicago has hosted more presidential conventions than any other city.
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