Thousands March for Gaza on First Day of DNC

A coalition of more than 200 political and community organizations brought more than 12,000 people to Union Park to demand an end to U.S. aid to Israel on Monday, as the Democratic National Convention kicked off its first day at the United Center nearby.

“We’re a broad-based coalition composed of people from all sectors of society that the Democrats claim to represent,” said Faayani Aboma Mijana, a spokesperson of the coalition, in a press release. “And we’re all united in standing with Palestine to demand an end to all U.S. aid to Israel.”

The demonstrators heard speeches from a variety of organizers on a range of demands, including investment in jobs, education, healthcare, housing, and the environment; defending immigrant rights, LGBTQIA and reproductive rights, the right to unionize and strike; community control of the police; and justice, peace, and equality.

In the early afternoon, they marched half a mile west to a park with a view of the United Center. After the main contingent left, a small group of protesters briefly broke through security barricades before riot police cleared the park. The National Lawyers Guild Chicago chapter released a statement that said twelve people were arrested, two of whom were hospitalized.

At the convention that evening, President Joseph Biden acknowledged the protesters in his keynote address. Biden said the protesters “have a point,” adding, “A lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides” and reiterating the need for a ceasefire agreement and release of hostages being held by Hamas. Last week, the president approved $20 billion in arms sales to Israel.

Photos by Jesus J. Montero.

Jim Daley was the Weekly’s investigations editor from 2023 to 2026.  Jesus J. Montero is the son of Mexican immigrants and an award-winning multimedia journalist from Chicago.