Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention was met Monday with thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathering for the March on the DNC demonstration at Union Park. The 13.5-acre plot of green is less than a mile from the United Center, where the convention’s primetime programming is set to take place, and about 3.5 miles from the daytime itinerary at McCormick Place.
Calling for a cease-fire in Gaza and an end to U.S. aid for Israel’s military action against Hamas in Palestine, the protest saw support from Chicagoan Palestinians, Jews and their allies. The city of Chicago, which is home to the largest population of Palestinians in the United States, granted permits and access to staging and sound equipment for the event after a legal battle on Friday.