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CHICAGO is ramping up security measures ahead of the highly anticipated 2024 Democratic National Convention, and the arena is banning some unexpected items amid threats of massive protests.
Strict vehicle screenings and a banned items list have been put into place as the Illinois city gears up for thousands of protestors.
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The 2024 Democratic National Convention will be taking place from Monday, August 19 through Thursday, August 22 at the United Center and McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.
Most of its events, including major speeches, will take place at the United Center, per NBC Chicago.
The arena is located in Chicago’s Near West Side neighborhood, and significant street closures and traffic delays are anticipated.
McCormick Place will host some other DNC events and is located south of downtown and just east of Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood.
The US Secret Service has banned a list of items from entering the secured area at the DNC, per Fox 32.
Banned items at the DNC
- Aerosols
- Ammunition
- Animals (other than service/guide animals)
- Backpacks and bags exceeding size restrictions
- Balloons
- Bicycles
- Coolers
- Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Glass, thermal, or metal containers
- Laser pointers
- Mace/Pepper spray
- Packages
- Signs exceeding size restrictions (20’x3’x1/4″)
- Structures
- Supports for signs and placards
- Toy guns
- Weapons of any kind
- Any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard
Law enforcement said they’d been preparing for this massive occasion for over a year, way before the assassination attempt of Donald Trump on July 13, which caused the Republican National Convention to ramp up security massively.
“That planning, which required the help of our federal, state and local partners, has included thousands of hours of analyzing, training and working with the public to develop a comprehensive safety plan that was released last month,” Secret Service Deputy Special Agent in Charge Derek Mayer told NBC affiliate WMAQ.
According to Mayer, the event is a “national special security event.”
Both city and security officials have worked in tandem to help prepare for the spectacle.
“I’m proud to tell you we are ready,” Mayer said.
“While the DNC is obviously a huge event, Chicago has a proven track record when it comes to putting on huge events.”
The special agent boasted about the strength of the Chicago police department and the help it received from all agencies.
“The Chicago Police Department is among 17 public safety entities, including the Secret Service, that belong to the executive steering committee,” Mayer said.
“That committee oversaw development of the DNC security plan and included input from experts on topics including national intelligence, airspace, security, traffic control and more.”
“Our preparation and planning kept in mind planned and spontaneous demonstrations,” Mayer said.
“The Secret Service and our federal state and local partners respect every American’s First Amendment rights. Superintendent Snelling and the Chicago Police Department are well equipped to handle protests and keep everyone safe during the DNC.”
What is the DNC?
The Democratic National Convention is meant to celebrate the official nomination of Harris as the Democratic candidate. The convention will feature speeches from key Democratic party members such as Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.
The DNC will take place August 19-22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
PLANNED PROTESTS
The heightened security comes as thousands plan on protesting the four-day-long convention.
One are in the city is even deemed a “city-designated speaker platform” and will feature a stage and speakers set up by the city.
Two other areas will be set up as special protests zones where protesters can speak freely.
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Several protests have already been announced and will be led by organizations such as the Poor People’s Army, Illinois Policy Institute, and the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine, according to the Chicago Sun Times.
The Coalition to March on the DNC also has two planned protests for the opening and closing days of the convention.
CONVENTION TO REMEMBER
This year’s DNC is already unlike previous conventions.
Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz have already been nominated as the party’s candidates in a vote taken earlier this month.
The week will kick off with a speech from President Biden, who is the first president since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 to not seek re-election, and the only president to surrender his party’s nomination after winning the primary, Yahoo News reported.
Biden, who was the original Democratic nominee but was replaced by Harris with, is expected to tout his relationship with Harris and enthusiastically support his second-in-command.
Hillary and Bill Clinton are also expected to speak during the convention with former President Barack Obama, all three of whom have publicly supported Harris for president.
