People often believe that hosting a political convention in a city can boost the local economy, but the Democratic National Convention, set to begin in Chicago on Monday, is unlikely to experience such a boost. Anticipating hundreds of pro-Hamas activists and demonstrators to pour into the city, downtown businesses are bracing for turmoil, bloodshed, and theft, fearing that Chicago in 2024 may resemble Minneapolis in 2020.
Businesses began barricading their doors and windows last week, according to a New York Post article.
“NBC Chicago reported that on Friday, a large number of companies located in the city’s central business center, the Loop, included the century-old Garland Building on Wabash and Washington Streets, covered in sheets of plywood and 2-by-4s. Scott Schapiro, the owner of the Syd Jerome menswear store on Clark Street, expressed his reluctance to take any risks amidst the anticipated thousands of demonstrators during this convention, considering the four thefts from his business in the past.
He said to the source, “You receive that call in the middle of the night, and your heart jumps out of your chest.” Schapiro said, “We hope there’s no incident, but if there is, we want maximum protection. We want to sleep a bit more peacefully at night, and this provides us a little assurance.”
But to truly appreciate how scared Chicago business owners are, you have to witness it for yourself.
Protest researcher Adam Swart told PJ Media last month that he thought the violence in Chicago would go worse than it did at the 1968 DNC anti-Vietnam War demonstrations.
According to Swart’s explanation to PJ Media, “split Democrats assembled in Chicago in 1968 to deliberate on a route ahead after a profoundly unpopular president declined to seek re-election.” “The establishment and leftist sides of the party faced serious disagreements, and they disagreed on a contentious war.” According to Swart, rioting, speech disruptions, and anti-American chants plagued the 1968 convention, which resulted in a massive loss for the Democrats.
According to Swart, Chicago’s officials are just as unprepared now as they were back in 1968.
He states that “an unpopular war that has split the party is the main comparison between 1968 and 2024.” In 1968, the left wing of the party, led by Eugene McCarthy, vehemently opposed the Vietnam War, while LBJ and establishment Democrats backed the continuation of the status quo.
According to Swart, rioting and other acts of violence in Chicago might seriously harm the Democrats’ chances of winning the next election.
The 1968 DNC riots were covered on national television, revealing a disorganized Democratic Party that appeared incapable of running its own convention. As Swart clarified, Nixon was able to capitalize on this instability by positioning himself as the defender of law and order. If history were to repeat itself, the ramifications for Democrats this year may be equally severe.
Businesses in Downtown Chicago are now boarding up their stores in preparation for the Democratic National Convention
Owners are terrified Kamala Harris supporters may erupt in violence and loot their stores again
When Republicans were in Milwaukee, no businesses boarded up… pic.twitter.com/9qc44asIoA
— George (@BehizyTweets) August 17, 2024
Swart says that unrest in Chicago would highlight what a lot of people believe to be the Democratic Party’s weak point.
He remarked, “Riots would expose the Democratic Party’s greatest vulnerability.” “Rioting and mayhem all around them make it hard for the Democratic Party to claim stability and peace.”
Author: Steven Sinclaire
