Pro-Palestinian protesters are gathering on Thursday, the final day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, to call for an end to US support for Israel’s ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
As delegates assemble for the convention, where Vice President Kamala Harris is set to formally accept the Democratic nomination for president, tens of thousands have rallied in support of Palestine since the convention began on Monday.
Hatem Abudayyeh, spokesperson for the Coalition and US Palestinian Community Network, highlighted the protest’s focus on halting US aid to Israel and addressing the situation in Gaza. “The central issue for our protest, the central issue for this week of the DNC, the central issue in the world today is Palestine and how we need to stop US aid to Israel,” Abudayyeh said.
Dr. Tammy Abughnaim, who recently returned from Gaza, described the dire conditions and the deliberate targeting of civilians. “There is no safe zone in Gaza. Israel has made sure of that,” she stated. She criticized the US administration’s support for Israel, despite International Court of Justice findings of possible genocide.
Chicago has seen ongoing protests, including demonstrations in front of the Israeli Consulate, where several arrests were made. Police have indicated they are prepared for the final day of protests, noting that Wednesday’s demonstration concluded without major incidents.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s offensive on Gaza has resulted in over 40,200 Palestinian deaths, primarily women and children, and nearly 93,000 injuries. The blockade has led to severe shortages of essential supplies, and Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
