Palestinians and organizers in Chicago are gearing up for what is expected to be the largest protest in the city's history, as they aim to draw attention to the issue of Palestinian liberation during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) next week. With Cook County boasting the largest Palestinian population in the United States, demonstrators are determined to seize the national stage and rally support for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Since October, Palestinians and their supporters have been taking to the streets of Chicago every week, demanding an end to the war in Gaza. Their activism has taken various forms, including campus sit-ins, divestment campaigns against Israeli companies, and appeals for a ceasefire in City Council. Now, with the DNC set to take place in Chicago, activists are determined to amplify their message and urge Democratic leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, to support their cause.

Organizers have planned rallies and marches throughout the convention, but they have encountered last-minute restrictions that ban stages, tents, sound equipment, and portable bathrooms at their Union Park staging area. Despite these challenges, the Palestinian community in Cook County remains undeterred. Hatem Abudayyeh, national chair for the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, expressed confidence that this protest will be the most significant in the city's history in terms of Palestinian rights.

The Gaza Ministry of Health, as cited by the United Nations, reports that over 40,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives during the Israeli ground invasion and aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip. In response to Hamas' attack on Israel in October, which claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 Israelis according to The Associated Press, South Africa and 12 other countries have accused Israel of committing genocide in the International Court of Justice.

Amidst this backdrop, President Joe Biden's administration and Congress have provided over $15 billion in aid to Israel since October. This financial support has further fueled the urgency for Palestinians and their allies to bring attention to the issue of occupation and genocide, particularly in areas like suburban Bridgeview, known as "Little Palestine," located just 15 miles from where the DNC will be held.

Deanna Othman, a board member of the Chicago chapter of American Muslims for Palestine, emphasizes the importance of shedding light on the impact of the ongoing conflict on Palestinian families in the area. Othman, who is also part of the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine, emphasizes the entanglement of the U.S. government in the situation and highlights how every American taxpayer is indirectly affected.

The Coalition to March on the DNC has organized over 40 protests since October and plans to lead a march on the Near West Side of Chicago during the convention. Numerous organizations and coalitions have scheduled protests in support of Palestine throughout the DNC, many of which will take place near the United Center, where the party is expected to officially nominate Kamala Harris as its presidential candidate.

However, organizers have faced legal battles to secure better access to protest routes near the United Center. The coalition has been pushing for a 2.3-mile route to accommodate the expected tens of thousands of protesters, whereas the city has proposed a 1.1-mile route. Regardless, Abudayyeh asserts that the coalition will march with or without a permit.

The protests have not been without controversy, as the Anti-Defamation League and the Jewish United Fund, among others, labeled the March of DNC Coalition as antisemitic. In response, the coalition has received hateful and threatening messages, including a handwritten note left at the home of Hatem Abudayyeh, warning against disrupting events of Jewish groups, while also urging the protests to remain within the boundaries of the law.

Despite the opposition, Palestinian activists and their allies remain determined to hold the DNC accountable for its stance on the Gaza conflict. They believe that not only President Biden but also Kamala Harris and other Democratic leaders should shoulder the responsibility for the policies and financial support granted to Israel.

As the Democratic National Convention in Chicago draws near, it remains to be seen how the issue of a ceasefire in Gaza will be addressed. Activists hope that their presence and continued calls for action will prompt Chicago's Democratic leaders, who themselves have shown support for a ceasefire, to consider their voices and take tangible steps towards peace.

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