Communist protesters gathered outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week, criticizing the party’s message of unity as insincere and only used when they need votes. They emphasized the struggles of everyday Americans and accused Democrats of only caring about unity when it benefits them politically. Thousands of protesters from various left-wing groups, including socialists, feminists, and environmentalists, descended on Chicago to protest the Biden administration’s handling of the war in the Middle East and its support of Israel following Hamas’ attack on the nation. Signs at the protest read “Democrats fund the genocide of Palestinians” and “End U.S. aid to Israel,” highlighting the main focus of the demonstration.
The Revolutionary Communists of America, one of the protesting groups, expressed doubt that Democrats would be able to address the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, expecting President Biden’s speech at the convention to be filled with empty promises and deception. They criticized the Democratic Party for its alleged complicity in right-wing attacks on women, workers, and the LGBTQ+ community, accusing them of only providing lip service to these groups without taking meaningful action. The protesters demanded an end to U.S. aid to Israel, immigrant rights and legalization for all, defense of LGBTQIA+ and reproductive rights, and community control of the police.
As the convention kicked off with speeches from high-profile Democrats like President Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, protesters escalated their demonstrations by dismantling panels of fencing surrounding the convention center. The group’s website for the protest, “March on the DNC 2024,” outlined their demands and highlighted the failure of the Democratic Party to truly support marginalized communities despite their public statements. The protest underscored the ongoing discontent within the left-wing base with the Democratic Party’s policies and priorities.
The protesters’ criticism of the Democratic Party’s lack of action on various issues such as women’s and LGBTQ+ rights underscored a growing sentiment among progressive groups that the party’s rhetoric does not align with its actions. The protesters emphasized the need for concrete policy changes and solutions to address systemic issues rather than just empty promises and symbolic gestures. The demonstration outside the DNC highlighted the deep divisions within the Democratic Party and the growing discontent from its progressive base over issues like the conflict in the Middle East and support for Israel.
Despite the protesters’ efforts to draw attention to their demands and critique the Democratic Party’s handling of key issues, the convention continued with speeches from party leaders and delegates supporting the Harris-Walz ticket. The tension between the party leadership and progressive activists was evident as protesters clashed with law enforcement and dismantled fencing surrounding the convention center. The protest served as a vivid illustration of the ideological rifts within the Democratic Party and the broader progressive movement, highlighting the challenges faced by the party in uniting its diverse base and addressing the concerns of various interest groups within its coalition.
