Anti-Israel groups are plotting a major demonstration of force at next week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, as the party plans to celebrate the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris.
The American Palestinian Community Network plans to bring dozens of protesters by bus from Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and other states. The group is organizing the event under the hashtag “March on DNC 2024,” with leaders arguing there is no difference between Ms Harris and President Biden when it comes to Israel and Gaza policy.
“We’re not going to change anything. We’re going to mobilize,” Hatem Abdayeh, a leader of the group, told NBC News. ““Harris represents the Administration and she represents Biden. Nothing she has said independently indicates that she doesn’t support the policy.”
“The movement is saying not only do we need to stop the genocide, but we also need to stop the possibility of this turning into a regional war,” he added.
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Anti-Israel groups are planning a demonstration at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, with organizers blasting Vice President Kamala Harris. (Andrew Thomas/AFP via Getty Images)
“Genocide Joe Biden has withdrawn from running as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. His decision does not change the policies of the Democratic Party leadership, especially its support for genocide in Palestine, so our movement must keep up the pressure,” the group further stated on its website.
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Meanwhile, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies say they are aware of the planned protests and the threat they may pose to the convention, and are currently monitoring them.
Anti-Israel protesters have called Harris “Killer Kamala” and said she is no different from President Biden when it comes to Gaza policy. (Reuters/Evelyn Hochstein)
A particularly threatening video was posted to social media by a local group in Chicago earlier this week, showing a masked figure vowing to welcome “Kamala the Killer” to Chicago.
“As home to the country’s largest Palestinian diaspora, we would like to warmly welcome Killah Kamala, her partners in crime and her future vice president to our city,” the person said.
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The Secret Service confirmed to NBC News that it was aware of the video.
Chicago police have extensive experience with crowd control. (Chicago Police Department)
The FBI also said it was monitoring the incident but said in a statement that it was not aware of any specific threats.
“At this time, the FBI is not aware of any specific, defined threats related to the Democratic National Convention,” the bureau told reporters earlier this week. “We continue to evaluate and share intelligence we receive from domestic and international partners related to the Democratic National Convention, as with any large-scale event within the Chicago area.”
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Chicago Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
