Chicago, United States - August 19, 2024

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters rallied on Monday outside the venue for the Democratic National Convention in the U.S. city of Chicago, expressing anger over the Biden administration's continued support for Israeli military attacks against Gaza.

Nearly 4,000 democratic delegates were gathering in Chicago for the party's national convention where Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept the democratic nomination for the presidency.

During the four-day event, outgoing President Joe Biden has urged his fellow democrats to unite behind Harris as she takes on former President Donald Trump in November's crunch election.

As the convention got underway on Monday, protesters took to the streets of Chicago, a democratic stronghold, demanding an end to U.S. government support for Israel. Although the U.S. has called for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and has said the war must end, it has strongly supported Israel for the most part since the conflict erupted last October.

Thousands of protesters showed up at a park near the United Center, the main venue where the convention is taking place, as they sought a change in the U.S. policy with regards to Israel and the Middle East. The protest, which included a march, passed off largely peacefully although there were reports of some trouble later in the day when a small group broke through a security fence.

Organizers said they wanted to stage a visible protest where convention goers could see and hear them, rejecting an offer from authorities to hold a march several kilometers away from the convention site, as they demanded a permanent ceasefire and a halt to U.S. funding to Israel.

Monday's event was just one of a number of protests planned for this week in Chicago, a city which is home to the largest Palestinian population in the U.S., and security is tight around the two main event spaces that are hosting the DNC this year, namely the United Center and McCormick Place.

Shotlist:
Chicago, USA - Aug 19, 2024:
1. Various of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathering in park, holding banners and placards calling for Gaza ceasefire and end to U.S. aid to Israel;
2. Various of demonstrators beating drums;
3. Security guards;
4. Various of demonstrators marching along street;
Chicago, USA - Aug 18, 2024
5. Various of security gate outside United Center;
6. Posters of Democratic National Convention, tram moving.

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