By GREG BISHOP | THE CENTER SQUARE
Protesters clashed with police on Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention Monday with more demonstrations expected.
During a security briefing as the day’s activities were getting underway, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said Chicago is ready.
“The city of Chicago is really good at things like this,” Johnson said. “It’s the reason why we’ve hosted more national and political conventions than anywhere else in America.”
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling was asked about the potential that protest groups would get inside the perimeter.
“No one will be allowed within the secure perimeter of the DNC,” Snelling told reporters. “This is a matter of national security.”
Later in the day, demonstrators, some wearing masks and holding an array of signs, butted up against security barricades. Among the thousands of demonstrators marching toward the United Center as official events were getting underway Monday night were those looking for more LGBTQ equality, abortion rights and an end to Israel’s war in Gaza with chants of “free, free, free, free Palestine.”
Protester Frank Chapman, of the National Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression, said all U.S. aid to Israel must end.
“We want Palestine to win,” he told the cheering crowd.
That issue got the attention of Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Schaumburg.
“We do need to continue to support our ally Israel,” Duckworth said. “At the same time, we need to remember the hostages need to come home. Many of them have died in captivity. But, we also have to work at getting humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
Protests are expected to continue through the rest of the DNC, which runs through Thursday.
Jim Talamonti contributed to this story.