Chicago's location could benefit the agitator in the 2024 DNC.
The central location of the Democratic Convention host city offers advantages for both delegates and agitators.
In Chicago this week, organizers of protests against Democrats' support for the Israeli military are arranging bus transfers for protesters from across the country, with the goal of attracting tens of thousands of participants.
Thousands of protesters opposed to Israel's actions in Gaza gathered on the opening and closing evenings of the Democratic National Convention, with permits granted for rallies.
The rally at the Israeli consulate Tuesday night is being supported by anti-Israel agitators who also advocate for far-left policies such as legalizing all illegal immigrants.
Before the DNC, protesters had already gathered at Union Park, a legally approved staging area for larger marches, to raise awareness for their causes. Organizers are encouraging those chartering buses to coordinate with them for drop-offs at the park, as stated on the March on the DNC 2024 website.
"Chicago's accessibility to activist groups across the country makes it a prime target for potential vulnerabilities due to its well-known struggles with crime and police staffing, according to former NYPD inspector Paul Mauro," he warned.
"Chicago is perfectly positioned as reachable by every activist group in the country."
Some security experts caution that agitators in the crowd may be seeking to incite conflicts with police and intensify the unrest. Some organizations have advertised this intention in flyers promoting the protests, with phrases such as "Let's make it great like '68."
The 1968 DNC in Chicago resulted in hundreds of arrests and dozens of injuries, with both police and demonstrators being affected. City lawyers accused outsiders of causing the violence, while a federal report labeled the law enforcement response as a "police riot."
Chicago has hosted more major political conventions than any other U.S. city due to its central location and ease of access.
The city's Union Station has 11 Amtrak routes, high-speed commuter rail Metra, and is accessible from five major interstates and highways. It is part of a network of Midwestern cities connected by charter bus and regular national bus routes.
"Undoubtedly, the Chicago Police Department is capable of handling this, but it's hard to believe that they chose Chicago for this event," Mauro said. "The department is already understaffed and the city's shooting statistics are alarming."
Over the weekend before the DNC, there were 30 shootings and five homicides in Chicago, according to police statistics.
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