CHICAGO – On Wednesday, more than 2,000 pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of Chicago, marching past a park where earlier in the day, pro-Israel demonstrators had gathered. The demonstration, which remained mostly peaceful, was one of the largest of the week and drew upon the support of the city’s Palestinian community.
The protest comes after a smaller, unsanctioned demonstration on Tuesday resulted in 56 arrests and violent clashes between police and protesters outside the Israeli Consulate. But the organizers of Wednesday’s march made sure to keep things peaceful, drawing on the support of the Chicago area’s large Palestinian community by bringing in buses from suburban mosques.
Families and people of various faiths, including rabbis and Christians, joined the march, which took on a festive tone at times with a drum line leading the way and Palestinian flags flying high. Children ate popsicles as they walked and others rode in strollers or wagons, all united in their call for justice and peace for Gaza.
One of the marchers, 48-year-old Raed Shuk, came with his children from the suburbs, including his 2-year-old son who sat on his shoulders. Shuk, whose parents are Palestinian, said they have attended many rallies together and his son knows the chants by heart. He spoke about the importance of standing up for one’s rights and peacefully protesting, a lesson he hopes to pass on to his children through this experience.
The marchers made their way towards the United Center, where the Democratic National Convention was taking place, and stopped outside a park just a block away from the arena. Using megaphones and air horns, they called out elected leaders, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, for being “complicit” in the ongoing war in Gaza. Pritzker, who was a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, had previously criticized a cease-fire resolution passed by Chicago in January.
The diverse crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters included many families and people of different faiths. Small groups of Muslims even gathered in prayer at a park ahead of the march, using keffiyeh as prayer rugs. Rabbi Brant Rosen, a founder of the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council, spoke out against the silence of the Democratic Party on the situation in Gaza at the convention. He questioned why the words “Palestine” and “cease-fire” were not allowed to be mentioned inside the convention and stressed that politicians are not entitled to the votes of the people.
Earlier in the day, pro-Israel demonstrators were escorted out of a park near the United Center as the area was blocked off in anticipation of the march. The rally near the arena was organized by the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, a community-based organization that stands in solidarity with Palestine. It was a stark contrast to the previous night’s protest outside the Israeli Consulate, which was not sanctioned by the coalition of more than 200 groups that have permission for demonstrations in the city.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling addressed the previous night’s arrests, saying that those detained had the intention of committing acts of violence and vandalism. He also stated that the police response was “proportionate” and that several officers and journalists were injured during the clashes.
Hatem Abudayyeh, co-founder of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, emphasized the importance of the police’s responsibility to protect the rights of protesters and maintain peace. He stated that the police only have one responsibility in this situation, and that is to not infringe on the First Amendment rights of the people.
The Israeli Consulate has been the site of several demonstrations since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza, and the protests during the DNC have largely focused on opposing the war between Israel and Hamas. Monday’s protest, which drew around 3,500 people, was mostly peaceful with only 13 arrests for breaching security fencing. Another march on Sunday night also remained peaceful, with two people being arrested.
As the Democratic National Convention continues, the voices of the pro-Palestinian protesters in Chicago continue to be heard. They are calling for justice and an end to the violence in Gaza. The diverse and peaceful nature of these demonstrations showcases the unity and determination of the Palestinian community and their allies in their fight for a better world.
