Gaza Protesters Breach Security at Democratic National Convention

Protesters opposing Israel’s military actions in Gaza briefly breached the outer security fence at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday, just hours before President Joe Biden was set to pass the torch to Kamala Harris, the new Democratic nominee.

The incident occurred when a small group of approximately 100 demonstrators broke away from a larger march involving thousands of participants. They targeted the metal barriers surrounding the United Center, where the convention was taking place.

Chicago police, equipped with helmets, shields, and batons, swiftly intervened, preventing the protesters from reaching the inner security perimeter. An AFP correspondent witnessed one protester, dressed in black, being carried away by officers.

Protest groups have called for ongoing demonstrations throughout the week to oppose the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas, following the militant group’s deadly October 7 attacks.

In a statement, Chicago police confirmed that protesters had “breached a portion of anti-scale fencing along the Democratic National Convention’s outer perimeter.”

“Law enforcement personnel were immediately on the scene and contained the situation. At no point was the inner perimeter breached, and there was no threat to any protectees,” the statement added.

Later, police moved to clear demonstrators from a nearby park, though chants of “Free Palestine” and “Let’s March” persisted. A few holdout activists, including one wearing a pink gas mask, eventually began to disperse.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has become a divisive issue within the Democratic Party as the November 5 election approaches. The situation has threatened to alienate Muslim and Arab-American voters, historically a strong Democratic constituency, particularly in key battleground states.