Protest organizers say Chicago police repression on April 15 was a message from the city ahead of the Democratic National Convention in August.

Activists shut down Woodward MPC manufacturing facility in Niles, Illinois, on Wednesday, February 7, to protest the company’s role in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Following months of large-scale protests, extensive outreach to alders, and organized efforts by Pro-Palestinian advocates, on January 31, Chicago became the largest U.S. City to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. 

Chicago alderpeople have tried to postpone a city council vote on a Gaza ceasefire by citing proximity to International Holocaust Remembrance Day and even the upcoming Democratic National Convention. A vote is finally scheduled for this week.

Chicago continues to witness almost daily protests in solidarity with Palestine. This week, activists continued efforts to pressure Sen. Tammy Duckworth and a massive rally took over one of the city’s major thoroughfares.

5,000 people protested Joe Biden in Chicago on Thursday over his ongoing refusal to support a ceasefire in Israel’s genocidal attack on Gaza. 

Amid overwhelming U.S. political support for Israel, 25,000 people converged in Chicago last weekend to stand in solidarity with Palestine.