(NewsNation) — A legal battle is continuing as pro-Palestinian protesters try to force the city of Chicago to let them demonstrate right up to the doors of next week’s Democratic National Convention. The city is expected to respond to protest groups Friday.
Leaders of the March on the DNC, a coalition of 223 organizations from 21 states, marching through Chicago next week say the city’s approved route, which restricts close access to the United Center, and other instructions banning sound equipment, stages and portable toilets in the area are unlawful violations of their right to free speech.
The city said it will respond group’s demands Friday ahead of a federal court hearing in the dispute.
Pro-Palestinian protesters upset with Chicago restrictions
The coalition has been planning to march at the event since last fall. But, the coalition says it just found out this week it wouldn’t be able to have all the equipment needed for the protests, including toilets, sound systems and stages.
The group filed an emergency injunction to stop the city’s restrictions.
The new development comes after dozens of demonstrators disrupted a Harris-Walz campaign after-party in New York City on Wednesday night.
Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside the venue, where tensions escalated and the scene got chaotic. Smoke bombs were set off outside the restaurant, at least 14 people were arrested and thousands of dollars worth of damage had been done to surrounding buildings.
Concern over potential violent protests
Now, there is concern that the DNC could be met with similar issues between protesters and police.
Regardless, coalition organizers have confirmed to NewsNation that the groups just want peace and their voices to be heard.
“You cannot say that because of the possibility of this thing happening like in, you know like in Idaho, that we’re not going to allow you to have your stage and your sound. They don’t have the right to do that. You know, I don’t care what happens anywhere else,” Hatem Abudayyeh, chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, said.
He continued, “We got people coming from the West Coast and the East Coast and the South, and they’re all here to stand together. Immigrant rights movement, Black liberation movement, reproductive rights movement, women’s rights movement, labor rights movement, all of them together, saying free Palestine.”
The group says they want a permanent and immediate cease-fire to the war in Gaza, as well as an end to U.S. military aid to Israel.
And while this is an organized protest, that doesn’t mean there won’t be outside agitators, especially since protesters with opposing views will be present at next week’s demonstrations.
DNC’s strict security efforts
The Windy City will host the DNC for the first time since 1996, and several security measures have been put into effect for the event as an expected 50,000 people visit Chicago. About 5,000 of those attending the convention are delegates and about 15,000 are media members.
Democratic powerhouses like the Obamas, Clintons and President Joe Biden will be present.
Multilayered security perimeters spanning several blocks will be set up around both the United Center and McCormick Place.
Security restrictions will go into effect outside McCormick Place at 10 p.m. CT on Friday, and security will be enforced outside the United Center at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Any person driving to or through the DNC perimeters will be required to go through extensive vehicle screening points. This includes ride-shares, taxis and food deliveries.
Since Kamala Harris took over the top of the DNC ticket and chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mat, the campaign has looked to portray itself as the joyful, positive choice for Americans.
