Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators are expected to gather outside the United Center arena, raising tensions between activists and law enforcement.
A towering three-meter steel fence now surrounds the convention site, with entrances heavily guarded by security personnel, metal detectors, and bomb-sniffing dogs. In the air, helicopters buzz as authorities prepare for what could be a volatile situation.
Among the protesters is 21-year-old Abla Abdelkader, who stands in a nearby park, surveying the scene.
“Just look at how the roads are lined with police cars. They know why we are here—and it scares them,” she tells Aftonbladet.
The protests, organized by a coalition called “March on the DNC 2024,” aim to hold Harris accountable for the Biden administration’s policies, which they claim support genocide in Gaza. The demonstrators are demanding that the U.S. halt its military support to Israel and implement a ceasefire.
“The fact that the leadership of the Democratic Party changes its presidential candidate does not wash the blood of over 50,000 Palestinians from their hands,” reads a statement from the protest coalition.
While the streets outside simmer with tension, inside the United Center, Democrats plan to showcase a star-studded lineup.
The convention will feature speeches from party heavyweights, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as current President Joe Biden. The event will culminate with Kamala Harris accepting the nomination as the Democratic candidate for president on Thursday evening.
Rumors are swirling that big-name celebrities like Beyoncé could make appearances, adding to the glitz and glamour that the party hopes will energize supporters. However, the protests outside threaten to cast a shadow over the event.
For Harris, the protests present a dilemma.
While she has taken a firmer stance on Israel than Biden, protesters argue that her policies remain largely the same. “She is just as complicit—if not more,” says Abdelkader, “because she now has an opportunity to change her mind and listen to our demands.”
Memories of 1968
The Democratic Party is keen to avoid a repeat of the 1968 convention, also held in Chicago, which was marred by violent clashes between police and anti-Vietnam War protesters.
The images of batons, tear gas, and bloodied protesters remain etched in the national memory.