As the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) draws near, the city of Chicago is girding its loins for what could be a tumultuous event.
Slated to take place from August 19-22, 2024, the convention is anticipated to endorse Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for President and Tim Walz as the vice-presidential candidate.
However, the city is bracing for a potential storm of chaos, with up to 100,000 pro-Hamas protesters expected to descend on the streets.
According to WGN9, leaders of four Muslim organizations are forecasting a turnout of around 100,000 demonstrators participating in various protests during the convention. The news outlet further reported that three primary protests are being organized for the first and last days of the convention, with over 150 organizations from across the nation forming a collective to ensure a significant turnout. Despite representing a myriad of interests, the focus of these protests will be the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As reported by Gateway Pundit, the city's preparations for the convention include the repurposing of a disused courtroom to expedite the processing of mass arrests during the DNC. The Chicago Police Department (CPD), despite having undergone specialized de-escalation training, is preparing for the likelihood of violence and vandalism at the DNC. The department has taken proactive steps to manage this potential unrest, including centralizing its response to mass arrests.
News Nation Now reported that protesters arrested during the DNC will be transported to a police station five miles north of the United Center, the venue for many of the convention's events. The previously defunct courtroom in the station has been revamped to accommodate nearly 100 people. The decision to centralize these arrests was primarily suggested by the CPD to ensure that the day-to-day operations of the department are not disrupted.
However, the city's preparations do not stop at the courtroom. Criminal jury trials have been postponed for the week of the DNC, and criminal judges from other divisions of Cook County have been asked to keep their schedules open in case they need to assist in processing those arrested. An additional 30 courtrooms have been cleared in the unlikely event that the first one reaches capacity.
The city's recent experiences have provided the CPD with a rehearsal in handling mass arrests and the operation of the Pretrial Fairness Act in such circumstances. In May, approximately 50 people were arrested during a Pride event, with only nine making it through the initial court appearances. The rest were either sent to juvenile court or released without charges.
However, the city's decision not to release protesters quickly could potentially infringe on the new Pretrial Fairness Act, signed by former Democrat Gov. JB Pritzker. Illinois has become the first state in the U.S. to completely abolish cash bail starting September 18, 2023, a significant victory for criminals. The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the Pretrial Fairness Act provision of the Safety, Accountability, Equity, Transparency-today Act last year, eliminating cash bail in Illinois. This means that those accused of certain felonies, including second-degree murder, aggravated battery, and arson, will be released on no bail while awaiting their court date.
As the city prepares for the DNC and the potential unrest it may bring, the implications of the Pretrial Fairness Act will undoubtedly come into play. The city's decision to centralize arrests and its preparedness to handle mass arrests will be tested. The convention, while a celebration of the Democratic nominees, may also serve as a litmus test for the city's law enforcement and judicial systems in the face of mass protests and potential unrest.
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