On TV, the Democratic National Convention is being set up to be a flawless, well-produced and compelling primetime infotainment.
In person, just getting to the United Center, on the near west side of Chicago, is a logistical adventure, even for those who have long attended these gatherings.
Following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump last month, and the anticipation of large scale Gaza protests, the security presence is intense, with temporary fencing placed in multiblock areas surrounding convention sites.
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“We are expecting large protests throughout the city for the rest of the week,” Larry Snelling, superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, told reporters on Monday. “We are prepared for that. We hope for the exact same outcome for every protest, that everyone gets to express their First Amendment rights…If we don’t have any incidents, if that occurs, then we have had the successful Democratic National Convention we can imagine. We would prefer not to have clashes. We would prefer not to make arrests if we don’t have to.”
There was a disruption hours later.
This afternoon, pro-Palestinian demonstrators breached a portion of the fencing on the outer perimeter of the United Center, but law enforcement personnel “were immediately on-scene and contained the situation,” according to Chicago Police. “At no point was the inner perimeter breached, and there was no threat to any protectees.”
Earlier in the afternoon, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered at Union Park, several blocks from the United Center, for a rally. Among the speakers was Cornel West, a third party presidential candidate, who blasted Vice President Kamala Harris and the Biden administration for its policy in Gaza.
On Sunday evening, a protester disrupted a delegate welcome party on Navy Pier, taking the stage to shout in opposition to U.S. support of Israel. A march down Michigan Avenue, drawing hundreds and passing sites or riots at the 1968 convention, was peaceful.
Across the park, dozens of Chicago police lined up with bicycles, in their regular uniforms rather than in riot gear save for vests.
But that was outside of the outer perimeter fence that circles a two- and three- block radius around the United Center. A long security line of around 45 minutes to an hour stretched down the block on Jackson Avenue, one of the main checkpoints, as the Secret Service conducted checks under a tent. Among those spotted: The principals behind Pod Save America — Dan Pfieffer, Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor.
“Thank you for your patience,” a convention official told attendees as they neared the checkpoint.
A couple more blocks out is a softer barrier, meant to prevent vehicles from entering the vicinity, but not pedestrians.
Journalists attending the convention have to obtain multiple security and access credentials to enter the arena, and most wear a collection of lanyards around their necks, as they are checked frequently. They also need a wristband to access McCormick Place, the other main location of convention activities. Many of the events surrounding the convention also are requiring special credentials, as well as individual caucus meetings, out of security concerns. The Chicago Police Department also is issuing its own credentials, meant for those covering the protests. Even organizers of today’s protest issued media credentials, albeit no one stopped reporters as they covered from other areas of the park.