Chicago, United States - August 22, 2024

Fresh protests erupted outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago (DNC) on Thursday, the final day of the convention. The city has seen protests throughout the week, as pro-Palestinian supporters urge Democratic lawmakers for more action in Gaza.

All week, there were protests outside of the United Center during the DNC. And the final day was no different, with this one coinciding with Kamala Harris' Democratic Presidential Nomination acceptance speech.

Organizers wanted the protests to be within sight and sound of the United Center. The key demand once again for the participants here was a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, and a call for the U.S. to halt funding to Israel.

There have been some flashpoints over the course of the week. On Monday, a group of protesters managed to break through an outer perimeter fence of the United Center. And on Tuesday, an unpermitted protest turned into a clash with police outside the Israeli consulate in Chicago. Dozens of people were arrested.

But the protests at the park on Thursday were largely peaceful, and organizers believe their point was successfully made to Convention delegates.

Meanwhile, outside of the arena, a small group of "uncommitted" delegates held a sit-in after their request for a Palestinian-American be given a speaking slot was rejected.

The focus for most this week has been on events on the DNC stage. But the protesters outside the meeting venue hope their voice has been heard.

Shotlist:
Chicago, USA - Aug 22, 2024:
1. Various of pro-Palestinian protesters holding placards, Palestinian flags;
2. Various of pro-Palestinian protesters marching;
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Hatem Abudayyeh, protest coalition spokesperson (starting with shot 2):
"This was the event of the season, Monday, Wednesday and this afternoon. This was the event of the season. This is what was exciting going on in the world. This is what the world was watching, not what's happening in that building at the convention.";
4. Women sitting in chairs, chatting;
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Asma Mohammed, uncommitted delegate (starting with shot 4/ending with shot 6):
"Because we value Israeli lives and Palestinian lives, we want a Palestinian American speaker on the stage too. It's a really simple request and the DNC, on the eve of the last day of the DNC, said no. So we had no other option, so we sat down here and we said, when you are ready, give us a call and we will move. And they still haven't called us.";
6. Various of people, slogans at sit-in.

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