The 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) is scheduled for next week from August 19 to 22, 2024 in Chicago.
However, the city is preparing for chaos. up to 100,000 Hamas supporters protesting flooding of streets and established new judicial procedures to simplify the process in case of mass arrests.
He also hopes to avoid the negative perception of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, when then-Mayor Richard J. Daley surrounded the convention site with barbed wire and eventually called in the National Guard to quell the violence.
According to Axios, congressional security officials are advising House Democrats attending the Democratic National Convention not to book hotel rooms in their own names and not to engage with protesters if they encounter a protest that is likely to be less than peaceful.
The guidance comes as some Democratic lawmakers fearing for their safety after I was shocked by the series destructive pro-Palestinian protests since the war between Israel and Hamas began last year.
- One House Democrat told Axios that they are “very concerned” about their personal safety and that “of course” other lawmakers are too.
- A senior House Democrat said law enforcement is asking members “not to go into certain areas because they expect violence.”
- “The protesters will not be in the designated area… and there are people who will go there and actually try to cause trouble,” the lawmaker predicted.
In guidance sent to congressional Democratic offices and obtained by Axios, the House Marshals Office wrote: “If you encounter protesters, try not to engage in confrontation and report it [Capitol Police].”
Chicago has been generous with permission requests for Hamas supporters.
Bye A coalition of pro-Palestinian activists was given permission to hold a demonstration, Organizers from the Israeli American Council (IAC) say city officials are meeting at the request of the pro-Israel group to hold a solidarity march.
Not everyone is convinced the city is ready to handle hordes of angry Democrats.
In June, the Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) published a report warning that the city and the Chicago Police Department (CPD) not ready for protesters.
Chicago is already facing a crisis acute shortage of police officers.
At a public forum of the Public Safety and Accountability Commission last week, Chicago Police Chief Inspector Larry Snelling said, “Right now, we're trying to make the most efficient use of the number of officers we have.”