Things are heating up in Chicago as the Democratic National Convention (DNC) rolls on, and it’s not just the speeches that are making headlines. Crews have been busy putting up extra fencing around the convention site after protesters managed to breach the outer security perimeter near the United Center on Monday. According to CNN, workers added a third line of fencing early Tuesday to reinforce the area.
The protest scene has been intense, with many demonstrators voicing their anger over the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the conflict between Israel and the Hamas terror group in Gaza. On Monday, the first day of the DNC, some of these protesters tore down sections of the outer “wall” around the United Center, though they were stopped before breaking through a second fence line.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling gave an update on the situation, revealing that 13 people were arrested on Monday, with at least 10 of those arrests related to the breach.
The charges included criminal trespassing, resisting and obstructing police, and aggravated battery of police officers. To prevent further incidents, Snelling said that the police have been in close communication with the Secret Service, and the breached area has since been “fortified.”
DNC protesters attempted to breach a second security fence protecting the United Center after breaking through the first line but were unsuccessful. pic.twitter.com/E8aK7rMod5
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) August 19, 2024
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, however, dismissed any claims of an “operational failure” and pushed back against the idea that more police were needed at the breach site. He emphasized the importance of protecting the First Amendment rights of the protesters, while also taking a jab at the “extreme” Republican Party, calling it a “failure.”
Inside the convention, the first day featured speeches from heavyweights like former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, First Lady Jill Biden, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. President Joe Biden also addressed the convention, despite pressure from some allies to end his 2024 campaign. Biden’s remarks covered a range of topics, including his record and his support for Vice President Kamala Harris as his potential successor.
Interestingly, Biden appeared to go off-script when he addressed the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. He acknowledged the protesters outside, saying, “Those protesters out in the street. They have a point,” and added, “a lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides.”
As the protests continued, some disturbing sentiments were also on display. One man was seen holding a sign that read, “End Israel, stand with Hamas,” while another person on Fox News expressed support for Hamas’s attacks on Israel on October 7.
