NEWSWEEK
Chicago Officials Under Fire After Blocking Pro-Palestinian Protest At DNC
Courtney McGinley
August 15, 2024

Chicago officials are under fire after their last-minute restrictions on the Democratic National Convention protests, calling the limits on sound equipment and other essential tools a direct attack on free speech rights. The City of Chicago informed organizers of the pro-Palestinian rights group the Coalition while they are permitted to assemble and march with the tens of thousands expected to protest next week, the city has limited their ability to communicate their message about ending U.S. aid for Israel…The spokesperson for the Coalition and National Chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network said this is a targeted attack on the group’s First Amendment Rights. READ MORE

JTA Tel Aviv’s ‘Hostage Square’ is coming to Chicago for the DNC — whether or not a pro-Israel march gets a permit Pro-Israel activists will mount a “Hostage Square” during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week, in a bid to spotlight the plight of Israeli captives at a time when the city is preparing for large pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The public art installation, organized by the Israeli American Council, will be held on a private lot and does not need require a permit, a spokesperson told JTA. They have not disclosed the exhibit’s intended location, though they say it will be close to the convention, which will be held at the city’s United Center.

JEWISH INSIDER Pro-Israel group struggling to gain permit to rally at DNC — while pro-Palestinian groups got green light For several weeks, the City of Chicago has been sitting on a request from a pro-Israel group to hold a solidarity march during the Democratic National Convention, even as it has granted permission for a coalition of pro-Palestinian activists to demonstrate when the proceedings kick off later this month. The Israeli American Council, a nonprofit organization representing Israeli-Americans that seeks to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Israel, filed two applications with Chicago’s Department of Transportation at the beginning of July…