Voter expectations ahead of the Democratic Party Convention
At the Democratic National Convention, delegates and politicians from across the country will come together to support the Harris-Walz ticket.
CHICAGO — The city’s 12,000 police officers say they’re ready. The Secret Service says it’s ready. Local politicians say they’re ready. Residents? Maybe not so much.
An estimated 50,000 delegates, politicians and party activists are expected to attend the Democratic Party Convention in Chicago this week. Tens of thousands of protesters may also march through the streets.
Fences, barricades and parked snow plows are already restricting movement in key downtown areas, and helicopters are circling overhead. Grumpy business owners are worried about lost revenue, and some residents and tourists think the whole thing is a bit over the top.
Tourist Kai Lei, 29, wondered aloud Saturday if all these precautions were necessary. Lei, a dentist from Great Falls, Montana, who was visiting family, said it all seemed excessive.
“I understand the safety concerns and it’s about everyone’s safety, but it looks a bit barbaric,” Lei said.
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A violent background
The convention comes amid the war in Gaza and follows the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13 and acts of sabotage on public transportation during the Paris Olympics. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to formally accept the party’s nomination on Thursday.
In preparation for the convention, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has partnered with Chicago police and declared that the city will not tolerate chaos caused by protesters. Johnson, a former organizer for the city’s teachers union, came to office on a wave of support from the very activists who wanted to protest the convention. Some high-ranking union officials continued to march with the same groups that wanted to protest Democratic leaders.
“Let me be very clear: The City of Chicago is ready to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention,” John Robertson, the city’s chief operating officer, said last week. “We are here in this moment to demonstrate that Chicago can shine. We are here to demonstrate that we can host the most democratic of activities in this moment … and to provide space and room for the full exercise of our First and Fourth Amendment rights to the Constitution.”
Since 1860, Chicago has hosted 25 nominating conventions – more than any other city. But the 1968 Democratic convention is particularly memorable for many activists. That year, violent clashes broke out between protesters angry about the Vietnam War and Chicago police and the Illinois National Guard. Hundreds of people were injured.
This year, protest groups have pressed Chicago authorities for more space and time for demonstrations and marches, arguing in court that the city was illegally restricting their constitutional rights. Authorities required large groups to obtain permits to march, restricted marches to certain streets and limited their ability to use parks and other public spaces for rallies.
It is still unclear how many demonstrators will actually arrive, but according to initial permit applications, up to 6,000 demonstrators could demonstrate on Monday, according to court documents. The organizers are expecting almost 10,000 participants.
At Su Taqueria El Rey Del Taco on Saturday, West Loop residents Maida Contreras and Jackie Martinez said they hoped the city was prepared.
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“I already told my family, ‘Don’t even think about coming here,'” Contreras said.
Both Contreras and Martinez say they are concerned about chaos and destruction, recalling the damage caused across the city during the unrest following the killing of George Floyd four years ago.
“This time I’m more aware of it. That’s what’s so disturbing, living so close to the gathering,” Martinez said. “We want everything to stay under control and we don’t want anything violent or serious to happen.”
A suffocating blanket
Areas of the city cordoned off include Chicago Avenue near the Magnificent Mile of North Michigan Avenue, the city’s main shopping street, and the McCormick Place convention center. Dozens of police officers on bicycles and wearing lighted helmets are out after dark, prompting many onlookers to reach for their cellphone cameras.
Parts of the convention will take place at the lakefront McCormick Place Center, while key speeches by Harris, President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are planned at the United Center five miles northwest.
Much like the Republican National Convention held in Milwaukee last month, the Democratic National Convention is a “national special security event” under the responsibility of the Secret Service. That means significant road closures, vehicle searches and, closer to the venues, TSA-style security checkpoints.
The closures will also impact local businesses hoping to take advantage. At Su Taqueria El Rey Del Taco near the United Center, employees were bracing for an influx of conventioneers and were even prepared to travel by bike if car checks took too long.
“We’re open again,” said cashier Chris Garcia. “We’re excited and ready to go.”
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How many protesters are there in Chicago?
Demonstrations were authorized for groups such as the Coalition for Reproductive Justice and LGBTQ+ Liberation, as well as the US Palestinian Community Network, on Sunday night, most of Monday and again on Thursday. The city has also set up a “speakers’ platform” in a park a few blocks north of the United Center.
Experts say the Gaza-focused March to the DNC 2024 will likely be the largest demonstration. Marches are planned for Monday and Thursday, starting in Union Park, a few blocks northeast of the United Center. Cook County, home to Chicago, is also home to the largest Palestinian-American community in the country.
The organizers of the “March to the DNC” are demanding that the party end the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip, reduce mass detentions and limit the deportation of migrants.
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More protests are expected. Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws, a group that calls on Democratic politicians to do more to protect LGBTQ and reproductive rights, planned a march on Michigan Avenue on Sunday evening near where many delegates are staying. Organizers expected 3,000 people.
At a “March on the RNC” protest in Milwaukee last month, organizers said 5,000 people would have participated, but only 500 showed up.
City officials say they are carefully balancing the rights of protesters against the need for public safety, particularly when it comes to the movement of fire trucks and ambulances. Police say they are prepared to arrest anyone who blocks traffic, breaks windows or damages property.
Police Chief Snelling also assured residents that his officers will continue to patrol the city, with police officers from Milwaukee and other cities providing security at the gathering.
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“We don’t forget that we have a city to protect. And that doesn’t just apply to the Democratic Convention venues,” Snelling said. “The Chicago Police Department will be in every single neighborhood protecting the neighborhoods.”
To avoid any risks, some businesses will close during the convention. These include the two branches of the upscale Solo Salon in the West Loop neighborhood.
“Many of our employees came to us worried about their cars being parked on the street and customers canceling their services. Additionally, our valet company did not want to work because the city is closing many streets,” said owner Kristine Singer. “If we cannot operate at full capacity of our services, it makes sense to listen to our team and make the right decision that is best for us.”
Recalling the “terrifying violence” of 2020 and not wanting to risk losing the business she has been in for nearly 20 years, Singer considered boarding up the windows at the last minute.
“In the long run, we prefer to play it safe.”
