As the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago enters its final day, pro-Palestinian demonstrators are gathering en masse on Thursday to demand an end to U.S. support for Israel’s ongoing military actions in the Gaza Strip. The protests, which have intensified throughout the week, underscore the rising public demand for a shift in U.S. foreign policy concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict.
As Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to formally accept the Democratic nomination for the presidency, tens of thousands of activists have rallied to express solidarity with Palestine since the convention began on Monday. The demonstrators’ primary call is for the U.S. government to cease all forms of aid to Israel, with many labeling the situation in Gaza as genocide.
“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 U.S. aid to Israel,” stated Hatem Abudayyeh, spokesperson for the Coalition and U.S. Palestinian Community Network, during a press conference. He highlighted the mass participation in protests earlier in the week and anticipated an even larger turnout on Thursday.
The protesters’ demands are clear: they urge President Joe Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and other leading Democrats to take immediate action to stop U.S. support for Israel, end the violence, and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Among those speaking out is Chicago-based Dr. Tammy Abughnaim, who has witnessed the conditions in Gaza firsthand. Having returned from Gaza just three days ago after spending six months in the region, Dr. Abughnaim described the deliberate targeting of civilians and the absence of safe zones in the Strip.
“In my time in the Gaza Strip, every single day, we would see evidence of deliberate targeting of civilians…There is no safe zone in Gaza. Israel has made sure of that,” she recounted. Dr. Abughnaim further stressed the troubling use of U.S.-supplied weapons in the conflict, emphasizing the moral responsibility of American citizens to demand an end to this support.
“I am trained to save lives. I could not do my job in Gaza because the United States continues supplying the weapons that are killing my patients, killing healthcare workers, and destroying the infrastructure that would enable us to save their lives,” she added, calling for an end to what she and others describe as genocide.
Protests have been ongoing throughout the week, with a significant demonstration taking place in front of the Israeli Consulate, resulting in the arrest of dozens, including journalists. Chicago police have stated they are prepared for the final day of protests, noting that Wednesday night’s demonstrations concluded without further arrests or injuries.
Police Superintendent Larry Snelling acknowledged some minor disturbances during the protests but confirmed that they were quickly resolved.
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, which began on October 7, continues despite a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire. The assault has led to over 40,200 Palestinian deaths, primarily among women and children, and nearly 93,000 injuries, according to local health authorities. The ongoing blockade of Gaza has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with critical shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies leaving the region in dire straits.
The International Court of Justice has accused Israel of genocide and ordered a halt to military operations in Rafah, a southern city where over one million Palestinians sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6. Despite international calls for de-escalation, the conflict continues, with mounting pressure on the U.S. government to reconsider its role in the crisis.
