Thousands of protesters gathered in Chicago near the Democratic National Convention on Monday to demand an end to United States support for Israel’s war in Gaza. Rich Barnes, one of the protesters, stated that the issue is simple: either support mass murder of babies or oppose it. The demonstration, dubbed the “March on the DNC”, called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo against Israel. Protesters held signs linking Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden to the atrocities in Gaza, accusing them of supporting a genocide.
While Harris has expressed sympathy for Palestinians, she has not committed to any policy changes regarding US support for Israel. Many protesters, including Amal Jaber from Wisconsin, dismissed Harris’s empathy as mere lip service and called for concrete action to end the suffering of Palestinians. Demonstrators in Chicago expressed their disappointment with the lack of policy changes and vowed to continue protesting until their demands are met.
The protests in Chicago come amid ongoing demonstrations against US-backed Israeli military actions in Gaza. Activists are calling for a shift in US foreign policy towards Palestine, criticizing the Democrats for their continued support for Israel despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The antiwar movement will continue to be represented at the Democratic National Convention by “uncommitted” delegates who are pushing for a ceasefire and an end to US weapons support for Israel. Protesters emphasized that their demands will not be ignored and that the issue is one that transcends political boundaries and must be addressed.
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