Protesters marched through the Loop in downtown Chicago on Sunday, August 18, 2024, just one day before the Democratic National Convention (DNC) began. It was the first of two permitted demonstrations planned ahead of the event.
The rally was dubbed the March for Bodies Outside Unjust Laws, and it attracted several activist groups, united by a demand for action on a range of issues, including reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The protest was not just a flash in the pan. It lasted over 3.5 hours, covering approximately 1.5 miles through the streets of the Loop. The demonstrators began gathering near Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive at around 6:30 p.m.
They marched south along Michigan Avenue to Grant Park, where the crowd stopped near the Logan Statue at East 9th Street. Throughout this lengthy route, the protesters maintained a peaceful stance, though their message was one of frustration and urgency.
News agencies reported that the protest disrupted downtown Chicago traffic for most of the evening, with spectators lining the sidewalks to watch as the massive group moved through the streets.
Traffic on Michigan Avenue was at a standstill as the marchers took over the road, while the police, prepared but not in riot gear, monitored the situation closely. There were rolling street closures along the southbound lanes of major streets like East Illinois Street and East Roosevelt Road.
The March for Bodies Outside Unjust Laws was an opportunity for many to voice their concerns directly before the DNC. The protesters demanded that the Democratic Party do more than offer rhetorical support for various causes and instead implement tangible policies that would improve the lives of marginalized communities.
Nour Odeh, a representative of Code Pink, was one of the many voices calling for action. “When we talk about justice, we’re talking about justice for everybody. And we’re talking about real actions for everybody, and not just empty words here and there,” Odeh said. Her comments reflected a broader sentiment among the protesters: the time for talk was over, and now they expected real change.
Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Chicago earlier that day, preparing for the convention. Despite her presence, many of the demonstrators were not swayed by her position within the Democratic Party. Pro-Palestinian protesters in particular expressed their dissatisfaction with Harris and the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
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Nael, a pro-Palestinian protester, voiced his concerns over Harris’ stance, stating that she had not taken a legitimate stance on the issue. “She’s not going to take a legitimate stance, so until we can have Kamala Harris actually come to the table and make a legitimate concession, you can’t just say you appreciate things in high-level abstracts in order to get our vote,” Nael said.
The March for Bodies Outside Unjust Laws also brought together activists from other movements, particularly those fighting for reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights. Anne Rumberger, a member of Chicago for Abortion Rights and one of the protest organizers, said that the Democratic Party needed to do more to support reproductive rights.
“There’s so many aspects to being able to raise children and to decide not to have children that the Democrats could do a lot better on,” Rumberger said. Her comments reflected the frustration of many attendees who felt that the party’s support for reproductive rights had not translated into meaningful action.
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The protest was also a statement on the Democratic Party’s broader failure to act on its promises. Protesters argued that the party’s rhetoric had not been matched by concrete policy changes that would benefit communities struggling under current laws.
Activists from all walks of life, including LGBTQ+ rights advocates, reproductive rights groups, and anti-war activists, marched together with one goal: to hold their leaders accountable.
Throughout the protest, Chicago police maintained a strong presence. CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling was seen giving a thumbs up to his sizable bike patrol, which had been tasked with monitoring the march.
Officers lined both sides of Michigan Avenue, protecting properties and ensuring that the demonstration remained peaceful. Though they were prepared for potential conflicts, the police appeared to be focusing on maintaining order rather than taking an aggressive stance. No riot gear was deployed, and officers took a more hands-off approach, only intervening if necessary.
A few businesses in downtown Chicago had boarded up their storefronts as a precautionary measure, though most chose to remain open, relying on the police presence to prevent any potential looting or vandalism. The police had made it clear that while they would protect protesters exercising their First Amendment rights, they would not tolerate any criminal activity.
Superintendent Snelling reaffirmed this point, stating, “We want people to exercise their First Amendment rights. We will protect them while they’re doing it, but we will not guarantee someone that we’re not going to make arrests if they start to act violently or commit crimes.”
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As the evening wore on, the marchers reached their destination at Grant Park. While the demonstration had been peaceful, it was clear that the protesters were not simply content to be heard; they wanted action.
Their demands were urgent, and they made it clear that they expected their leaders to listen and respond. For many of the protesters, the DNC 2024 was an opportunity to make their voices heard on a national stage.
Monday’s protest, which is expected to attract even more demonstrators, will focus on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Pro-Palestinian activists are expected to march from Union Park to Park 578, just a few blocks north of the United Center, where the DNC is being held. Organizers have been granted permission to set up a stage and sound system at Park 578, ensuring that their message will be heard by the thousands of attendees at the convention.
On Tuesday, the protest groups will hold a memorial outside the United Center to honor the Palestinians and Israelis who have died since the October 7th attack by Hamas. A spokesperson for the event said that the memorial would be an opportunity for people to mourn those affected by the violence and reflect on the need for peace.
As the 2024 Democratic National Convention begins, the protesters’ message will be impossible to ignore. Their demands for action on reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the Israel-Hamas war have been made clear, and they intend to hold the Democratic Party accountable for its promises.
The question now is whether the party will respond with more than just words. Will the politicians inside the United Center take action, or will the calls for change fall on deaf ears?
The protesters are determined to make sure their voices are heard, and with the eyes of the nation on Chicago, their message is louder than ever. As the convention unfolds, all eyes will be on the Democratic Party to see if they will finally deliver the changes these activists have been demanding for so long.
