DNC 2024 security zones and protest plans: What we know
CHICAGO — Democrats will host their nominating convention in Chicago from August 19 through August 22.
The convention is considered a National Special Security Event, meaning all levels of law enforcement — including the United States Secret Service — are involved in the planning. The last time Chicago hosted an NSSE was the NATO Summit in 2012.
Demonstrations are planned around the city, and security zones are planned around the United Center and McCormick Place. Specific details about security zones have not been publicly released.
WGN will update this article with information about the security zones and protest plans as they become available.
Sunday, Aug. 18 | Abortion rights, feminist, LGBTQ+ groups to demand bodily autonomy, ceasefire in Gaza
A group of nine organizations that want Democrats to adopt a national agenda to protect equal rights and bodily autonomy, and who have joined calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, reached a deal with the city on where and when they’ll be allowed to gather in demonstration. The coalition filed a federal lawsuit with the ACLU of Illinois last month after the city denied their initial request.
The group, called Bodies Outside, will gather beginning at 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 18 — the eve of the convention — at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive for a rally before marching south to the John Alexander Logan Monument in Grant Park. This route takes demonstrators past venues and hotels where tourists, delegates and media will visit and stay.
Chicago’s top cop says police are getting additional training
Chicago police are undergoing fresh training on handling large-scale protests and First Amendment rights ahead of anticipated demonstrations during the Democratic National Convention, and that involves taking a look back at other large-scale events in the city to see what worked, including during the 2012 NATO summit.
Poor People’s Army allowed to protest outside United Center
Due to a technicality, the Poor People’s Army — a Philadelphia-based group that regularly protests at both Republican and Democratic conventions — forced the city on appeal to grant a permit that will allow the group to march practically right up to the United Center doors.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported in February that the city failed to respond to a permit application within its own 10-day deadline and, on appeal, was forced to allow the group to protest at the DNC.
Details on the group’s specific protest plans are not available.
After Republicans hold their convention in Milwaukee in July, Democrats will host their nominating convention in Chicago August 19-22. Chicago has hosted Democrats 12 times, the last being nearly 30 years ago when President Bill Clinton was nominated for a second term.
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