Police Prepare for DNC Protests

Law enforcement said they are prepared for protests outside of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago which starts on Monday.

The barricades for several blocks surrounding the United Center is the first line of defense. Thousands are expected to protest throughout the week for various topics.

“We’re prepared for whatever number of people decide to show up here in the City of Chicago,” Superintendent Larry Snelling said.

Security is a federal, state and local partnership. Heated protests in recent months have law enforcement on high alert, however law enforcement stresses they support peaceful protests and won’t tolerate violence.

“Theirs is a distinct difference between the riot and a peaceful protest or people who are simply exercising their first amendment rights,” Snelling said. “The First Amendment does not include rioting, it doesn’t’ include criminal acts. It doesn’t include breaking the law. It doesn’t include violent vandalism. Those are things we are not going to tolerate in our city.”

This year’s convention has drawn a lot of parallels to the 1968 convention that was also in the Windy City. Then, anti-Vietnam War protesters violently clashed with police and the press got caught in the middle. More than 600 were arrested with more than 200 protesters and police being treated for injuries.

With a vocal “Free Palestine” Movement today advocating for the end of the Israel-Hamas WAR, CPD says there won’t be a repeat of 1968.

“The difference between 1968 and now is that the department has evolved,” Snelling said.

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