Chicago prepares for demonstrations this week during the Democratic National Convention
CHICAGO — People gathered for a rally near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive on Sunday afternoon before marching down Michigan Ave., prompting several street closures in and around the downtown area.
That was far from the only demonstration expected in Chicago this week.
Trucks lined the streets of Chicago on Sunday ahead of what will be a busy week, as thousands of people are expected to arrive to the city for the Democratic National Convention, which starts Monday.
As of early Monday morning, there had been no reports of any arrests.
Sunday, however, marked the first of numerous publicly-announced demonstrations. WGN News found one demonstration, organized by “Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws,” a coalition comprised of various feminist and pro-Palestinian groups.
The latter issue will be front and center come Monday, as protesters call for the U.S. to stop aid to Israel.
Hatem Abudayyeh serves as a spokesperson for the Coalition to March on the DNC. Demonstrators from the coalition are set to converge on Union Park at noon Monday to hold a program with speakers.
“Almost 270 organizations from across the U.S. have joined the Coalition to March on the DNC,” Abudayyeh said. “Tens of thousands (of people) will be out on the streets starting (Monday), Aug. 19, at noon, right here at Union Park, to say, ‘Stop the genocide now, end U.S. aid to Israel and free Palestine.'”
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The coalition has also been in an ongoing battle with the city over its planned protest. The group is expected to march for just over a mile, with a stop at Park 578, before returning to Union Park.
However, the coalition has been fighting for a longer route — one of about 2.4 miles — and said it’ll continue fighting for that route until the last minute.
“Up until 2 p.m. (Monday), when we step off, we’re going to be fighting for our rights, and we’re going to be fighting for that route,” Abudayyeh said. “If the city does not agree at step-off, we will march the route.
“Listen, we have a philosophy in Chicago that the numbers dictate what the route is.”
Sunday’s march, meanwhile, headed southbound down Michigan Ave. from Wacker Dr. to 9th Street before heading east into Grant Park. As hundreds of demonstrators made their way down Michigan Ave., the large gathering prompted rolling street closures.
Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management shared a series of posts on X on Sunday night detailing the rolling closures and asking the public to allow extra travel time during the DNC this week.
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There was also an issue over a stage and sound system at Park 578, which is within sight and sound of the United Center. That has now been allowed, but organizers still want a longer path for their protest.
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