On Aug. 19, 2024, the Coalition to March to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) gathered at Union Park on its opening day. The coalition aimed to advocate for various demands including funding for “jobs, school, healthcare, housing, and environment, not for war, immigrant rights and legalization for all, defend LGBTQIA+ and reproductive rights, defend the right to unionize and strike stop police crimes, community control of the police now.” Union Park became a place to meet politically diverse backgrounds with some others counter protesting.
The Independent interviewed Munem Kmail, who peacefully held his Palestine flag in a group of Evangelical Christians holding Israeli flags with CPD officers on bikes surrounding them. When asked why he was counter-protesting, Kmail said, “I have the right to be, you know, it doesn’t have to be violent, raising my flag and, you know, giving a different perspective.”
Kmail described the march as “[t]o have a massive pro-Palestinian, you know, anti-genocide, anti-war crimes, anti-us aid to Israel crowd. We are here to raise our voices and say no to genocide, say no to USA aid to Israel.” According to the coalition’s website, their main demand is to “stand with Palestine and end US aid to Israel.”
The Independent interviewed Mark, who prefers not to disclose his last name, about his participation in waving the Israeli flags. Mark clarifies that the rally is not a counter protest to the DNC but a show of solidarity for the Israeli people.
“Listen, we live in the greatest country in the world, the United States of America, where you have freedom of speech to say whatever you want to say whatever you believe in, and that’s why we’re here today, because, you know, we’re gathered in a place peacefully and just showing our solidarity for the Israeli people.”
While Kmail and Mark had opposing views, they both stated the importance of freedom of speech in the United States, which allows people to express their views peacefully. However, not all counter protesters were peaceful.
On Washington Boulevard, a group of Christians agitated the protesters by yelling obscenities with a bullhorn such as the demand to repent of their Palestinian support. In fact, Antonio, a former City of Chicago employee, said that “this is the first time” he’d experienced counter protesters like that despite protesting since the 70s.
Antonio, a holistic medicine practitioner, said, “I’m into spirituality, but I’m for justice, and I’m saying I’m here because of the cause for the Palestinian people that are suffering in Gaza.”
While Antonio felt safe because of the police presence, not all participants felt completely certain about it. Since the Coalition to March on the DNC does not work with police, they follow the St. Paul principles posted on their Instagram. One of the goals, for example, was to keep the participants safe with “marshals [that] are responsible for keeping the crowd united and protected from police violence as much as possible.”
When the Independent asked about the coalition’s countermeasures, Diane Schrack said, “I feel safe here among them. I’m not quite sure about the cops, the safest addition to the group.” Schrack held a sign that read “ Genocide: Democrat Party Legacy” facing Ashland Avenue.
Despite the counter protesters and their use of audio equipment, Schrack said, “Everybody has a right to be out here.” At Union Park, banners, posters and puppets were seen. Among all this, Jennie Spanos wore a Supreme Court justice robe adorned with corporate logos. Spanos, co-director of the Move to Amend organization, explains how the Supreme Court continues to give corporate constitutional rights to corporations.
Spanos said, “Corporation is not a person. Money is not free speech, and we genuinely want to end this insane corporate rule notion and put the power in the hands of people and build a genuine democracy.” For organizers like Spanos, Union Park was a place to protest against corporations.
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Almost all Independent interviews in this piece were conducted by Ryland Roberts, except for the Jennie Spanos interview, which was conducted by Jasmine Rodriguez.
