DNC protest plans continue with Kamala Harris as presumptive nominee
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Photo: Courtesy of Faayani Aboma Mijana.
The Coalition to March on the DNC has been clear about its plans to protest the Biden administration's Gaza policies during the DNC, and organizers say a new nominee doesn't change that.
Why it matters: The coalition, comprising several advocacy organizations including U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) and Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR), is united around the goal of a ceasefire in Gaza.
- The coalition says it blames the Democratic Party's policies, not just President Biden's, for the prolonged war.
Driving the news: After Biden stepped down as the Democratic nominee and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday, protest leaders released a statement saying: "On August 19th we will march on the DNC for Gaza regardless of who gets nominated for the presidency."
State of play: The group expects up to 100,000 people, from about 200 organizations nationwide, to march on the first and last days of the DNC, Aug. 19 and 22.
What they're saying: "We'll still be marching for Palestine, because there's still a genocide happening in Palestine," CAARPR's Faayani Aboma Mijana tells Axios.
- "The blame falls on the Democratic Party leadership as a whole, which Joe Biden and Kamala Harris represent as individuals, but ultimately they uphold the larger Democratic Party leadership order."
Catch up fast: The coalition and the city continue to spar over the planned protest route. The Chicago Department of Transportation initially denied the group's request to march near the United Center, offering an alternative miles away.
- The city agreed this month to allow the group to march within sight and sound of the United Center, but Aboma Mijana says the coalition is now pushing for a larger route to accommodate additional protesters.
What's next: This week, the U.S. Secret Service is expected to release the security perimeter for the DNC, which will affect local residents and businesses — but will not affect the Coalition's desired route, Aboma Mijana says.