Thousands of protesters gathered near the United Center in Chicago, where the Democratic National Convention is being held, to voice their opposition to the war in Gaza. A few dozen protesters broke away from the larger group and tore down pieces of the security fence. Some protesters dragged the fence pieces back to a nearby park. The protesters chanted slogans such as "End the occupation now" and "The whole world is watching!" The march occurred as President Joe Biden, who has faced criticism from pro-Palestinian groups, was doing a walk-through of the United Center, AP reported. The heavy police presence included Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, who walked with a group of officers ahead of the protesters. Mayor Brandon Johnson said authorities were well-prepared for the march. Organizers had hoped for a larger turnout, but only a few thousand protesters were present when the march began. The Chicago area has one of the largest Palestinian communities in the nation, and buses brought activists from around the country. Pro-Palestinian supporters gathered in Union Park for a rally before the march. Independent presidential candidate Cornel West addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of morality and spirituality. Around 40 pro-Israel supporters walked around the park during the rally, waving Israeli flags and accompanied by police officers. There were no physical altercations. Several individuals were taken into custody on Monday after breaking through a security barrier near the United Center, the site of the Democratic National Convention, according to Chicago police. Police Superintendent Larry Snelling stated that authorities are evaluating the effectiveness of the current fencing, but did not provide additional information about the incident, as reported by CNN. Protester issues included climate change, abortion rights, racial equality, and an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Some businesses boarded up their windows as a precaution, and county courts prepared for potential mass arrests. Chicago police said officers had undergone training on constitutional policing and de-escalation tactics.
