When the Democratic National Convention gets underway in Chicago on Monday, it is expected to be accompanied by the largest pro-Palestine protests in the city’s history, according to advocacy groups.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators aren’t new to Chicago. They have been marching on the city’s streets every weekend since last October, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 250 people hostage. An estimated 40,000 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza and 85 per cent of people displaced from their homes there since the war’s onset.

The DNC, where Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are expected to accept their nominations, faces significant disruption from protests, with Chicago home to the largest community of Palestinians in the country. Tens of thousands are anticipated to mobilize.

“It’ll be the largest protest in the history of Chicago for Palestinian rights, specifically,” Hatem Abudayyeh, national chair for the US Palestinian Community Network, told Block Club Chicago.

Here’s everything we know about the pro-Palestine protests.

When and where will the protests take place?

The protests are expected to take place on the first and last days of the convention, August 19 and 22.

Demonstrators are expected to gather in Park 578 and Union Park both a stone’s throw from the United Center, one of the two DNC venues.

There has been a months-long court battle over the protest route. Advocacy groups requested parade permits to march near the United Center but were repeatedly denied by city officials. The city, in turn, offered the groups an alternative route, a requirement that prompted them to sue the ​​city and Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation, alleging First Amendment violations.

The groups then asked a federal judge to extend their route by a mile, and move the route closer to the United Center. The judge denied that request on August 12, partly due to the route interfering with the Secret Service perimeter, court filings show.

Organizers said they plan to appeal the decision, according to ABC7. It’s unclear whether the groups will stick to those restrictions or will march without a permit.

“We’re going to march regardless, but we’re fighting for the best route possible,” Faayani Aboma Mijana, a spokesperson for the March on the DNC coalition, told Semafor. “We’ve got our park permit, but the City has refused to allow us to use port-a-potties, a stage, and a sound system.”

How many people are expected to take part in the protests?

The exact number is unknown but estimates say Chicago could see anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000 demonstrators.

The demonstrations come after nearly a year of war in the Middle East and ensuing unrest that has erupted in the US over the Biden-Harris administration’s response to it.

One group, the March on the DNC coalition, said it intends “to bring the people’s agenda to within sight and sound of the Democratic Party leadership.”

The coalition added: “Genocide Joe Biden has stepped down from running for President as the Democratic Party nominee. His decision doesn’t change the policies of Democratic Party leadership, specifically their support of the genocide in Palestine, so our movement must continue to apply pressure.”

Harris recently confronted Pro-Palestine protesters at a rally in Michigan last week. Protesters seemed to be shouting: “We won’t vote for genocide!” Harris cut in: “You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.”

She also said: “I’m here because we believe in democracy. Everyone’s voice matters. But I am speaking now.”

What kind of security measures are in place?

City officials said on August 13 that planning and police training have been ongoing for a year.

Police superintendent Larry Snelling said there will be resources in “every single neighborhood” not just at DNC venues. “So it’s not forgotten that we have a city to protect,” he added.

When asked how Chicago police plans to handle arrests of protesters, Snelling replied: “If everyone is doing exactly what is expected of them and they are exercising their first amendment rights, this isn’t an arrest situation…But we will not guarantee someone that we’re not going to make arrests if they start to act violently or commit crimes.”

But ahead of the convention, civil rights groups have raised serious concerns about “mass arrest” policies and police’s ability to handle the crowds, a fear likely stemming from the recent moves by the city.

Court officials announced the temporary reopening of a defunct courtroom at a police station to potentially process and release dozens of people, The Independent previously reported. The Chicago Police Department has also shelled out millions of taxpayer dollars to defend and settle lawsuits related to misconduct during 2020 protests.

There are also the indelible images of violence that emerged from the 1968 DNC in Chicago of cops beating anti-Vietnam War protesters. More than 600 demonstrators were arrested while 190 officers and 100 protesters were injured, according to a report at the time.

Snelling addressed this point, and tried to quell concerns. “Oftentimes, it is forgotten that there was a Democratic convention between 1968 and now. It was a success,” he said, referring to the 1996 convention where former president Bill Clinton accepted the nomination.

Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told NBC News that his agency feels prepared for the major political event.

“What people really need to understand is this is a national security event. Every resource of the federal, state, county and local government will be used,” Guglielmi said. “It’s the highest security designation that the United States can give to anything. ... We feel very confident in the security plan in the Chicago Police Department. We’re going to work hand in glove to make sure that the DNC is safe and that Chicago is safe.”

The DNC arrives as the Secret Service has been heavily scrutinized for its handling of Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania last month where he survived an assassination attempt.

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Protesters paused to reconsider opposing Harris at the DNC. They decided on full steam ahead.

There was a moment after Vice President Kamala Harris was tapped to run for president, when pro-Palestinian activists prepping massive demonstrations at the Democratic National Convention paused to rethink their approach.

The main organization corralling more than 200 groups to protest at the convention, March on the DNC 2024, met for about half an hour the day Harris announced her candidacy. The meeting was to consider whether to move forward with the same confrontational approach they had aimed at President Joe Biden, who they dubbed “Genocide Joe” for his policies on Israel.

Harris, despite being part of the Biden administration, was seen by some as being more sympathetic to the pro-Palestinian cause and made a forceful case for a cease-fire deal after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netantyahu.

“We all came to a consensus that it's not going to make a difference, that [Harris] represents this administration,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network. "We're going to stay full steam ahead."

And he noted, his organization referred to Harris as “Killer Kamala” even before she topped the ticket and continues to push for harsher restrictions on the Israeli government, like an arms embargo — something that a top Harris adviser has said she doesn't support.

There are at least six major protests planned on the streets of Chicago during the Democratic National Convention. The biggest is planned for the first day, Monday, when “tens of thousands” are expected to march just blocks from the United Center, where Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will give their acceptance speeches.

The “family-friendly march” is organized under a pro-Palestinian umbrella coalition that includes groups devoted to a variety of causes. Organizers are busing in protesters from Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana and Wisconsin, and activists are also coming in from New York and California, too.

The switch-up at the top of the Democratic ticket prompted a conversation in the pro-Palestinian movement about its tactics. The Democratic National Convention in Chicago was widely perceived to be its biggest stage upon which to argue that the U.S. should change its policies toward Israel. But Harris, who called for a cease-fire earlier than some others in the party, made some activists wonder about taking a softer approach with the new Democratic nominee.

“There is admittedly a change of tone and for many, a sense of a breath of fresh air,” said Linda Loew, an organizer for Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws coalition, which has more than 40 organizations endorsing a march in Chicago on Sunday ahead of the convention. But “rhetoric and promises are simply not enough. We certainly are glad and welcome the support of any and all Democrats who say that they're for any of these issues, but we need to see action.”

But for the activists organizing for the convention, any hesitation about whether to be disruptive diminished soon after Harris confronted protesters at a rally in Michigan on her battleground state tour with her new vice presidential nominee.

“Everyone’s voice matters, but I am speaking now. I am speaking now,” she said to pro-Palestinian demonstrators who interrupted her address.

The interaction is fueling the pro-Palestinian protesters as they gear up for the convention.

“After she yelled at protesters, the blush started to come off the rose,” said Joe Iosbaker, a protest organizer and a member of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression. The group has been behind 48 protests in Chicago, nearly one every week, since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that erupted in the war in Gaza.

Now pro-Palestinian protesters are planning to come out in full force this week in Chicago.

“Don’t fall for the wolf in sheep's clothing,” said Andy Thayer, who is a longtime progressive organizer and a leader of a protest scheduled for Sunday. “Harris has made it clear that she is standing behind Israel 100 percent and is not going to stop the flow of arms to Israel.”

The Harris team acknowledged the protests will go on as planned and reiterated her position on the Israel-Hamas war.

“The vice president believes making your voice heard and participating in our democracy is fundamental to who we are as Americans," Harris campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt told POLITICO. "Vice President Harris supports the deals currently on the table for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of hostages.”

Harris may also face sporadic protests inside the arena where she will make her televised acceptance speech on Thursday. About 30 delegates who represent the "uncommitted" vote in the primary which activists used as a means of protesting Biden's policies on Israel will attend.

Convention organizers have said they will respect voices speaking out at the convention and are prepared for disruptions inside the arena, though delegates who wave their own signs might be asked to lower them. They emphasized that protesters make up a small portion of the nearly 5,000 credentialed delegates.

“Thousands of Democrats from all across the country are showing up here in Chicago to rally behind the Harris-Walz nomination because they believe in the vision of hope and progress this ticket represents,” said convention spokesperson Emily Soong. “We support law enforcement's efforts to protect the right to peaceful protest while not allowing any violence.”

Outside of the arena, veteran protesters and police both say they’re ready for anything. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, who led police training ahead of the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago, said he’s confident that convention demonstrations will be held in check.

Handling the NATO protest “was successful,” he said, “but we’re also looking at where we could have done things better. We’ve improved upon some things. We’ve given our people training that they need.”

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Biden to speak at DNC showing support for Harris-Walz vision along with several other prominent leaders

CHICAGO - President Joe Biden is slated to speak at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago Monday night.

He'll take the stage to make the case for Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz.

Dr. Jill Biden will also deliver remarks on Monday night. The exact time has not yet been announced.

In addition to highlighting the Harris-Walz vision for the future and the stakes of this election, the president will detail the successes of the Biden-Harris Administration.

Harris will formally accept her nomination on Thursday. The convention committee announced Sunday that several other prominent Democrats will join Biden in addressing the party throughout the week.

Brandon Johnson

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will help open the convention with a speech on Monday, according to the committee.

Johnson said the city has been preparing for this moment since the bid was announced, and he's not afraid of anything.

J.B. Pritzker

The DNC 2024 Committee said Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker will welcome Democrats to Chicago on Tuesday.

He said the city was initially in feverish competition with Atlanta, New York and Houston, but a little bit of that Chicago bravado put the city's bid over the top.

Hillary Clinton

Former Secretary of State and twice-failed presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is expected to address the DNC Monday night as well.

Her attendance was confirmed by the committee, but the exact time is still unknown. Clinton was the first woman to be a presidential nominee for any major political party in 2016.

If Harris wins in November, she would become the first female President of the United States.

Former President Obama

Former President Barack Obama is expected to address the DNC Tuesday night.

Obama, who had Biden as his vice president for two terms, ultimately endorsed Harris after Biden exited the race but not immediately.

Former President Clinton 

Former President Bill Clinton is expected to address the DNC Wednesday night.

The Clintons endorsed Harris quickly after Biden exited the race.

"We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being what’s best for the country," they said in their joint statement. "We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her."

Clinton’s speech is expected to come just before Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, gives his address.

Gov. Tim Walz, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jefferies will all address the party at the convention.

The above speakers were confirmed by the 2024 DNC Committee on Sunday morning. A full list of speakers has not yet been released, and the official schedule has not been announced.

The convention begins Monday, Aug. 19 and continues through Thursday, Aug. 22.

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Democrats hope the DNC extends Harris' winning streak but mass Israel protests could ruin the vibes

• Vice President Kamala Harris has Democrats joyful as they prepare for their convention.

• Protests over the war in Gaza will likely test her ability to project a unified party.

• But if Harris emerges unscathed from Chicago, she could ride a polling bump into the home stretch.

Just weeks ago, Democrats were dreading their convention in Chicago. Now, Vice President Kamala Harris has them downright joyful.

Harris' last minute campaign is hitting its stride heading into the Democratic National Convention, erasing former President Donald Trump's lead across almost every swing state that will decide the election.

"Even I thought she'd be an underdog, just less of an underdog than Biden would have been," Nate Silver recently told Business Insider. "Now I think you'd probably rather be in her position."

Trump is now the dejected one, renewing old feuds with fellow Republicans and straying off script to attack Harris' race and push unfounded conspiracy theories. After delighting in Democrats' disarray around President Joe Biden, Trump is now confronted by a host of allies begging him to stay on message.

Trump's campaign tried to downplay the moment from the start, predicting that Harris' "honeymoon" wouldn't last. But as Democrats gather at the United Center in Chicago, they are positioned to seize the remaining days in August. Harris' momentum could power her through the traditional home stretch that begins on Labor Day.

"What you've seen is a party that in all facets — some of the moderates, more conservative Democrats, progressive Democrats — have all rallied around this ticket and are going to show support at the Convention," said Amy Dacey, a former CEO of the Democratic National Committee who is now the executive director of the Sine Institute of Policy & Politics at American University.

It might not be a coronation, though. Protesters have pledged to make the White House's handling of the war in Gaza the backdrop of the convention. While a scene out of the 1968 convention is unlikely, there's a reason why Democrats have long been afraid of returning to the Windy City for the first time since the unrest over the Vietnam War.

Harris has shown that she values party unity. In choosing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, she followed the first rule of vice presidential selections: do no harm. The last thing she or her allies want is the party's disarray to become the top story again.

Democrats' best hope is that their four-day spectacle solidifies a positive image of Harris. Once one of the least popular vice presidents, polls show Harris' popularity has soared. But as The New York Times' Nate Cohn cautioned, the vice president's rapid rise shows that the image around her is still forming.

No vibe shift can overshadow the lingering discontent over Gaza.

Though Democrats are hoping to use the convention to project unity, planned demonstrations both inside and outside the United Center threaten to disrupt the image of consensus. Organizers said they expect as many as 40,000 people to join a march protesting the Biden administration's handling of the war in Gaza, Semafor reported. Protests are not expected to affect the convention itself, but confrontations in the streets of Chicago could easily overshadow the event.

Israel's war in Gaza has emerged as a key campaign issue, with some voters threatening to cast protest votes or stay away from the polls altogether. The movement among Democratic activists is rooted in Michigan, where more than 101,000 people voted "uncommitted" during the primary in March to protest Biden's actions in the war.

Compared to her current boss, Harris has struck a different tone when discussing the war, now in its 11th month. She has put more emphasis on the plight of Palestinians and called for an immediate cease-fire. Activists are generally more excited about her candidacy than they were about Biden's, particularly with the addition of Walz.

"This shift in candidates with Harris and Walz does open up our opportunity, open up a window for us to be heard. We have seen Vice President Kamala Harris be slightly more empathetic and sympathetic to the plight of Palestinians," said Layla Elabed, one of the founders of the Uncommitted protest movement in Michigan.

Still, Harris' precise policy agenda regarding Israel remains unclear and many activists still harbor significant doubts. When asked whether she plans to vote for Harris, Elabed told Business Insider that she is still waiting to see whether the vice president will "turn a page away from Biden's current policy."

Organizers expect tens of thousands of people to take to the streets outside of the convention center, the Washington Post reported. They have been engaged in court battles with the city of Chicago about specific demonstration routes and how close protestors can get to the United Center. As of August 11, the city had sanctioned a 1.1 mile route, which is set to begin in Union Park.

Some fear that the protests could become violent, which poses hurdles for DNC organizers.

"It's logistics, it's finances, and security. Those are the top three issues," said Dacey who participated in site selection and negotiations with the city of Philadelphia ahead of the 2016 convention. "Security is a top priority, especially because you have so many leaders coming to speak."

The security measures, however, cannot stop the approximately 30 delegates representing uncommitted voters from lodging complaints from inside the building. The uncommitted delegates are demanding a private meeting with Harris, an arms embargo on Israel, and alterations to the party's foreign policy that distance Israel.

To draw attention to their cause, uncommitted delegates are planning news conferences, vigils, and literature distributions, among other efforts. They represent states across the country, with Minnesota having the most delegates at 11.

While the protests do not threaten Harris' status as the nominee — she officially secured the nomination during a virtual roll call with support from 99% of delegates — they do pose a significant optics issue at a time when the Democratic Party is celebrating its ability to coalesce around the new ticket.

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