As the Democratic Party gears up for its convention in Chicago, where Kamala Harris is set to be officially nominated as the presidential candidate, the city braces for massive protests that could overshadow the event.
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.
Hatem Abudayyeh, a spokesperson for the protest coalition, draws a parallel between the Vietnam War and the current conflict in Gaza.
"This is our generation's Vietnam War," he says. "Someone has to stop it. If Harris or Biden won't do it, then we, the people, have to."
The protest will bring together over two hundred left-wing groups, including a pro-Palestinian organization banned in two countries for alleged ties to terrorist groups. The Arab-American community in Chicago, home to the country's largest Palestinian diaspora, has already expressed concerns about racial profiling and police surveillance.
Police Prepare for Potential Unrest
Chicago Police Chief Larry Snelling has stated that the police will act peacefully, as long as protesters do the same.
"But we will not allow anyone to come to our city and destroy it. Acts of violence and vandalism will not be tolerated," he told NBC.
In anticipation of potential unrest, some downtown businesses have already boarded up their windows. Meanwhile, a threatening video from a local group has circulated on social media, in which a masked figure promises a "warm welcome" to "Killer Kamala" and her team.
The FBI has acknowledged the video but stated that there are no credible threats against the convention at this time. But the mood remains tense.
Paul Nelson, a 23-year-old protester who traveled from Colorado, expressed frustration at how the demonstrators are being portrayed.
"They always try to portray us as violent extremists just because we oppose genocide," he says. "Because I want the government to stop sending bombs—then I'm the radical? The world is truly upside down."
As the convention approaches, all eyes will be on Chicago.
