Fear in Chicago: Businesses Board Up, Dems Told to Use Aliases As Pro-Hamas Protests Expected at DNC
The Democratic National Convention is coming to the Windy City starting Monday, and if you're a Chicagoan, that might not be welcome news—unless you're a fan of violent protests of course.
The pro-Hamas crowd is expected to descend on the convention in force, and demonstrations are all but assured. Some of those planning to attend the event are nervous, and law enforcement has warned them to be careful:
House Democrats attending the Democratic National Convention next week are being advised by congressional security officials not to book hotel rooms under their own names or engage with protesters if confronted, Axios has learned.
But I thought all these types of protests were considered "mostly peaceful" by Democrats and that they consisted of high-minded citizens who were merely expressing their First Amendment rights?
Why it matters: The guidance comes as some Democratic lawmakers are fearful about their safety after being rattled by a series of disruptive pro-Palestinian protests since the Israel-Hamas war started last year.
- One House Democrat told Axios they are "very concerned" about their personal security and that "of course" other lawmakers are as well.
- A senior House Democrat said law enforcement is telling members "not to go to a certain area, because they expect violence."
- "The protesters aren't staying in a designated protest site ... and there are people who are going to go and really try to cause trouble," the lawmaker predicted.
Chicago Democrats Slow Walk Pro-Israel Group March Permit While Pro-Palestinian Group Permit Granted
Meanwhile, business owners in the Second City—including many of them who have experienced "peaceful protests" before—are boarding up their windows and taking precautions in expectation of vandalism and violence.
Concern over possible unrest during next week's Democratic National Convention has some business owners in Chicago's Loop taking precautions.
Boarded up windows and doors could be seen downtown Thursday.
"As we know, this city has a poor track record when it comes to protecting businesses," said Scott Shapiro, owner of Syd Jerome.
Store owner Shapiro has been through it before:
The looming unknowns ahead of next week's convention are why Shapiro said he knew he had to take precautions to keep his decades-old business safe.
"We felt it was more prudent to board up, since our customers and their employers have told them to stay home throughout the convention for their own safety," Shapiro said.
That's why his downtown storefront at Syd Jerome on Clark Street is shielded by plywood, as thousands of protesters plan to descend on Chicago for the DNC.
His store was looted during civil unrest in 2020.
And back then, he didn't take down the plywood until more than a year later.
Now, it's back up in fear of history repeating itself.
This building now looks like a fortress:
It's a sign of the times when the Democrats plan a convention, and everyone knows months in advance there will be violence. It's also a sign of who they are—you didn't see this going on in advance of the successful GOP convention in Milwaukee in July.
The only real question left is: how bad will it be?
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