Written by Michael Thompson.

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is set to begin in Chicago, and the city is already on edge. With thousands of pro-Palestinian and antisemitic protesters expected to flood the streets, local businesses have been boarding up in anticipation of potential riots. Over 200 different activist groups are organizing these demonstrations, and some are drawing eerie parallels to the infamous violence that marred the 1968 DNC, which also took place in Chicago.

Chicago law enforcement, however, isn’t buying into the comparison.

“Chicago 2024 won’t be like Chicago 1968,” proclaimed the Wall Street Journal this weekend, citing law enforcement and protest organizers who are promising a peaceful convention. “Both sides are committed to maintaining peace, even as thousands gather to protest the war in Gaza, abortion restrictions, and other contentious issues.” Yet, with reports circulating on social media that over 1,000 officers have called in sick, one has to wonder whether this promise will hold up.

A City on the Edge: Police Shortages and National Guard Standby

Despite the assurances from authorities, there’s an undercurrent of fear that history might repeat itself. Although we can’t confirm the exact number of officers calling in sick, the idea isn’t far-fetched. After all, who can blame them? Given recent clashes, it’s no surprise that many officers might be reluctant to risk their safety in such a volatile situation.

Governor J.B. Pritzker (D-Ill.) has announced that 150 members of the Illinois National Guard are “on standby” for the DNC. “They are really on standby,” Pritzker emphasized. “They’re positioned at the perimeter. We don’t expect to need them for anything severe, but we want to ensure additional law enforcement is available and ready.” While his words may be intended to reassure, they also highlight the underlying anxiety about what could unfold in the coming days.

Although everyone hopes for a peaceful event, the signs are not promising. If the reports about mass police absences are accurate, law enforcement will be woefully undermanned. This situation could easily spiral out of control, leading to the kind of chaos that no one wants to see.

Protests Escalate: A Prelude to What’s Coming?

The tensions boiled over even before the convention officially began. On Sunday night, protesters disrupted a delegate party, greeting attendees with a chilling message: “Welcome to hell week.” The protesters didn’t waste any time confronting top Democrats, particularly over the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Hundreds took to the streets, determined to “bring the war home,” as seen in videos shared widely on social media.

The protests are expected to continue throughout the week, coinciding with the national Democrats’ celebration of Vice President Kamala Harris’s nomination alongside her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The unrest reached a fever pitch when demonstrators targeted a delegate party at Navy Pier. One protester even managed to seize the microphone, accusing the crowd of “funding a genocide” before being forcibly removed. His final cry, “Free Palestine!” echoed through the venue, captured on video by an anti-Israel group.

Our Take

The situation in Chicago is teetering on a knife’s edge, and the apparent lack of police presence only exacerbates the risk of violence. The DNC’s decision to hold the convention in such a charged atmosphere shows a profound disconnect between the party’s leadership and the reality on the ground. By choosing Chicago, a city with a fraught history of protest and unrest, the DNC has placed its event at the epicenter of potential chaos. The party’s apparent underestimation of the situation is not just reckless but dangerous for the public, who could easily get caught in the crossfire of escalating tensions. The Democratic leadership’s failure to anticipate and adequately prepare for this volatile mix of anger and protest is a glaring oversight. This could very well lead to the kind of violence and disorder that marked 1968—something no one should want to see repeated.