The Democratic National Convention begins Monday in Chicago, and the city has braced itself for violence and unrest. Businesses began covering their windows and doors last week due to the many thousands of anti-Semitic pro-Palestinian protesters expected to descend on the area organized by more than 200 different groups. Some say it could be reminiscent of the violence that plagued the 1968 DNC, which was also in Chicago.
Chicago law enforcement rejects that idea.
“Chicago 2024 won't be like Chicago 1968. That's the promise of law enforcement officials and protest organizers alike as the curtain prepares to rise on this year's Democratic National Convention,” The Wall Street Journal. informed during the weekend. “Each side says it aims to keep the peace even as thousands are expected to demonstrate against the war on Gaza, abortion restrictions and other hotly contested issues.”
This may just be wishful thinking. According to some reports on social media, more than 1,000 officers are calling in sick.
A few more CPDs hit the doctor today. The number now on the list exceeds 1,000 agents.
New to the list is Cmdr. Yakimba Phillips, who is the chief of CPD's 2nd District.
They tell us Cmdr. Phillips claims “PTSD.”
— Chicago Contrarian (@ChicagoContrar1) August 17, 2024
More than 1,000 Chicago Police officers reportedly went to the doctor over the weekend, including Commander Yakimba Phillips (who claims PTSD), who is the head of the Chicago Police Department's 2nd District.
— 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑖𝑠 (@chiIIum) August 18, 2024
The intelligence gathered so far is solid enough that more than 1,000 Chicago police officers have already resigned. https://t.co/gIvmlJ09zU
— Ben Ruston Jr (@BenRuston1) August 18, 2024
While we can't independently verify this, it makes perfect sense. In light of recent history, who in the police department wants to put their lives on the line for these people?
Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill.) says 150 members of the Illinois National Guard are “on standby” for the DNC.
related: The expert warns of possible riots, chaos at the Democratic Convention
“They're really on hold,” Pritzker he said. “They are on the perimeter. No one expects us to use them for anything very serious. We also want to make sure we have additional law enforcement type people who are in uniform and are trained to be police available.
Obviously, we hope that there is no violence and that no one gets hurt, but the signs of pending chaos have been there for months. If more than a thousand police officers have called in sick, they will be seen as much less equipped, and that is a recipe for disaster.
The protesters have already done it interrupted a delegate party on Sunday night and warned delegates: “Welcome to Hell Week.”
Protesters could not wait to confront prominent Democrats over the war in Gaza as hundreds flooded the streets and vowed to “bring the war home”, according to footage on social media.
Demonstrations are expected throughout the week as national Democrats celebrate the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, 60.
At one point, protesters targeted a delegate party at Navy Pier where a group of people came on stage, grabbed a microphone and accused the crowd of “funding genocide,” according to the Chicago Sun- Times.
“The Harris-Biden administration is still sending money to Israel,” the protester said before being dragged off stage, according to a video released by an anti-Israel group. “Free Palestine!”
It's going to get worse.