Protests are distant sideshow at DNC — so far

The protests surrounding the Democratic National Convention, once a source of alarm and anxiety, have dissolved into an afterthought — at least for the moment.

The crowds have been smaller than expected. The marches have been overwhelmingly peaceful. And a massive law enforcement presence has created a broad buffer zone, insulating Democrats in the United Center from any form of chaos or threat outside the walls. Some lawmakers said they’re hardly aware the protesters are there. 

“I haven’t seen that over here,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), summarizing the message from a host of Democrats gathered in Chicago to celebrate the presidential nomination of Vice President Harris.

The reality on the ground marks a stark contrast to the warnings, sounded in the weeks leading up to the convention, that 50,000 protesters — many of them furious with the Biden administration’s support for Israel amid its war with Hamas — were poised to descend on the Windy City, some with potentially violent intentions.

The concerns were elevated last month with the assassination attempt on former President Trump. And they arose again less than two weeks later, when activists gathered in Washington to protest a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made headlines with arrests, the burning of American flags at D.C.’s iconic Union Station and the vandalization of statues with spray-painted anti-Israel slogans.

Some said the conditions this summer are as combustible as those in 1968, when police clashed with thousands of peace activists protesting the Vietnam War during the Democratic National Convention. Then, as now, the venue was Chicago.

The first two days of the convention, however, showed few signs of a 1968 redux. 

While thousands of protesters have gathered in Chicago to lend voice to a variety of causes — from reproductive rights and economic justice to racial equality and migrant rights — the marches have been marked by virtually no spasms of violence. 

The largest contingent of protesters are focused on pressing Democrats for a cease-fire in the Middle East, where Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack led to the death of roughly 1,200 people, and Israel’s military response has killed 40,000 — a response many liberals consider disproportionate, at best, or a case of war crimes, at worst.

Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) pointed to several factors he said have contributed to the relative calm this week. For one thing, many Democrats are critical of Netanyahu’s military campaign and sympathetic to the plight of innocent Palestinians.

“We’re not at odds with these voices,” he said. “I actually share many of the views that they hold, and there are a lot of people inside [the convention] who do.”

For another, Harris has been among those people, adopting a different tone on the war than President Biden, likely easing tensions between the activists and the Democratic brass, Kildee said.

“The change at the top of the ticket is a bit of a game changer for everything, including the issue of Israel-Palestine,” Kildee said. “I’m not suggesting that she’s made a 180, [but] she clearly has a different approach. She’s been interested in hearing these voices. She’s made some comments to make it clear that she shares some of their concerns. 

“I know so many of the people from the Arab and Muslim community, and it’s making a difference.” 

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) also hailed Harris’s remarks about the conflict, though he also suggested she’ll need to back up the rhetoric with actions if she hopes to win over pro-Palestinian liberals. 

“I like what she’s said,” Doggett said. “I like some of the things Biden’s said, it’s just what he’s done that I have problems with.”

There are, of course, two days remaining in the Democrats’ convention, and there’s always the possibility that the protests will be marked by bouts of violence. Already, there have been several isolated instances of unrest.

Two protesters were arrested Sunday, a day ahead of the convention’s launch, and 13 more Monday, including 10 involved in the breach of an outer security fence near the United Center. Some were charged with aggravated battery for allegedly using pepper spray on officers.

And Tuesday evening, a separate protest group — Behind Enemy Lines, which has invoked the ‘68 riots with vows to “shut down” the convention — staged an unauthorized demonstration in front of the Israeli Consulate, about a mile from the United Center. The group burned flags and clashed with police officers, according to local news outlets, which also reported an unknown number of arrests. 

Still, Democrats attending the convention said those activists have done nothing to alter the activities, or the message, as the party celebrates the nomination of Harris this week. That focus marks a far cry from the summer of ‘68, when the protests overwhelmed coverage of the convention and pulverized the party’s unity message. Some say the unrest led directly to Republican Richard Nixon’s victory several months later. 

“They broke through a fence line and caused some problems, but I don’t think that anyone would agree there are 50,000 protesters out there. I haven’t seen them,” Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) said, downplaying the impact of this week’s protests. 

“We know there are folks in the party who have a problem with Biden’s approach on Israel and Gaza,” he continued. “That said, [Secretary of State Antony] Blinken announced today that Israel’s engaged in a cease-fire plan. And that’s all happening because Joe Biden is making it work.” 

Lawmakers cited other reasons why 2024 isn’t shaping up to be 1968. 

Not least, the number of protesters appear to be much lower — Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling estimated that 3,500 activists participated in marches Monday.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (Miss.), senior Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, said the various law enforcement agencies — federal, state and local — are also simply better prepared this time around. 

“I’ve seen the plan that was put together by Homeland Security and everybody. I believe the law enforcers will protect the people who’ve come to this convention,” he said. 

Thompson also dismissed the notion that the protesters have disrupted the convention in any significant way.

“I’ve been to every major convention since 1980,” he said. “It’s always difficult to get to the convention. It’s always difficult to get back to your hotel. It’s always difficult to get around. 

“Whether there’s protests or not, there’s just a lot of people.”

There is one piece of the convention that may be impacted by the protesters, or at least the broader message they’re sending: Many Democrats are hoping Harris, in her keynote speech Thursday night, will acknowledge the human rights concerns hovering over Israel’s handling of the war and offer some assurances that, as president, she would address them. 

“Clearly, I favor a policy that does not beg Netanyahu for approval of peace and gives him everything he asks for at the same time,” Doggett said. “So I’d like to see some difference in her policy.”

For all the tensions surrounding Israel within the Democratic Party, many lawmakers warned that a second Trump term would pose an even greater threat to Palestinian civilians. 

“What’s the alternative, Donald Trump? I mean, please,” McGovern said. “He doesn’t give a s‑‑‑ about the Palestinians, or Gaza, or Israel. All he gives a s‑‑‑ about is himself. 

“So that’s the choice here.”