With protesters expected to wreak havoc at next week’s Democratic National Convention, some lawmakers have been told not to make hotel reservations under their own names, according to a new report from Axios.
People have also been warned to avoid certain areas of the host city of Chicago, with one Democratic congressman saying: told the website They were “very concerned” about their personal safety.
At least some hotels in the area have been receiving random phone calls asking for names.
“The protesters are not staying at the designated protest locations… and there are some who are actually trying to cause trouble,” the councillor added.
In guidance sent to House members, the Capitol Police Office said: “If you are confronted by a protester, do not engage; [Capitol Police].”
“There are security concerns, but from what I’ve heard, they would be classified as standard given the current climate and the Israeli-Palestinian issue being addressed by a vocal minority,” said one Democratic insider familiar with the situation.
About 100,000 pro-Hamas demonstrators are expected to descend on Chicago this week to protest the convention and President Biden’s support for Israel. Chicago shopkeepers are taking no chances, boarding up stores in the city’s downtown in anticipation of violence.
