They chanted, waved flags, carried signs and listened to a series of speakers ahead of a planned parade. Still, the crowd seemed to fall well short of the 25,000 or so predicted by its organizers.
One of the most significant protests expected during this week’s Democratic National Convention got underway Monday, as thousands of people descended upon Union Park to protest the Israel-Hamas war.
They chanted, waved flags, carried signs and listened to a series of speakers — including Cornel West — ahead of a planned parade. Still, the crowd seemed to fall well short of the 25,000 or so predicted by its organizers. And the march had yet to begin as of 2:30 p.m.
West, an academic and activist running as a third-party candidate for president, walked through Union Park surrounded by demonstrators as he made his way toward the stage.
“The people’s voices from below are not being heard,” said West, insisting the United States’ support of Israel is unjust.
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voess de la Frontera, a Milwaukee-based organization focused on immigrant and labor rights, said she came to “stand in solidarity with Palestinians” and “push for immigration reform.”
“We want people to participate, but at the same time put pressure on the Democrats to deliver on their promises and to support demands that are happening right around ending the funding for the war in Gaza,” said Neumann-Ortiz.
She added: “For many of us here … we’ve been in the struggle together for many years.
