In pictures: Thousands march against Gaza genocide at Democratic convention
Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters unite in Chicago, voicing opposition to Biden's support for Israel's genocidal war on besieged Palestinians of Gaza.
A woman holds a placard, as people take part in the rally "March on the DNC" on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois. / Photo: Reuters
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have marched in Chicago as President Joe Biden arrived for the opening day of the Democratic National Convention, in a show of force against his administration's unbridled support for Israel's genocidal war in besieged Gaza.
Members of the crowd on Monday chanted "End the occupation now!" and then "The whole world is watching!" just as anti-Vietnam War protesters did during the infamous 1968 convention in Chicago when police clashed with protesters on live television.
The march happened just as President Joe Biden, who has been the target of intense criticism from pro-Palestinian groups, including the marchers, was doing a walk-through of the largely empty United Center.
"Biden, you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide," the marchers chanted amid the beating of drums. They also referred to him as "Genocide Joe" and lodged similar chants at Vice President Kamala Harris.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews hold signs in support of Palestinians in Gaza, in Chicago. Jewish groups say the State of Israel does not represent world Jewry and the "authentic Rabbis" say they have always opposed Zionism and the State of Israel.
Chanting intensified ahead of the fence breach, as protesters reached a neighbourhood park on Chicago's West Side and paused to amplify their calls for a ceasefire. Amid the noise, the crowd turned its frustration toward Vice President Kamala Harris, referring to the Democratic candidate as "Killer Kamala".
Dozens of Muslim delegates and their allies, angry at US support for Israel's war in Gaza, are seeking changes in the Democratic platform and plan to press for an arms embargo, putting the party on guard for disruptions to high-profile speeches at the convention.
Pro-Palestine groups have for months protested the Biden administration's military and financial support for Israel during its war on Gaza.
Some protesters are doubtful that the Democratic party will change its platform."It'll never happen," says Mwalimu Sundiata Keita, who traveled from Cincinnati, Ohio, to join the protest. "It's the policy of the party to support Israel, and until that policy changes, that's the way it's going to be."
Independent presidential candidate Cornel West walks through the crowd as pro-Palestinian protesters push all Democrats to call for an end to military funding to Israel, with a particular focus on Harris.
Residents in the Chicago suburb worked hard to elect Biden in 2020, protesters say, "and now they feel betrayed." For many, the war is more than a hypothetical question of foreign policy."
Harris has, at times, struck a different tone than her boss, calling for a ceasefire in March before she was running for president. Most recently, however, during her last-second campaign launched after Biden decided not to run for reelection, she rejected calls for an arms embargo on Israel.
Protester issues include climate crisis, abortion rights and racial equality, to name a few, but many agree that pressing for an immediate ceasefire in Israel's war is the top message of the demonstrations. They have likened it to the Vietnam War of their generation.
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