As the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago, House Democrats are reportedly being advised to check into hotels under assumed names to avoid detection by an estimated 100,000 pro-Palestinian protesters expected to gather in the city.
According to a report by Axios, Democratic Party security officials are concerned that demonstrators may target members of Congress. The protests were organized prior to Vice President Kamala Harris being named the Democratic presidential nominee following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race, but the leadership change has not altered the protesters’ plans.
Axios reported that “House Democrats attending the Democratic National Convention next week are being advised by congressional security officials not to book hotel rooms under their own names or engage with protesters if confronted.” This guidance comes amid growing fears for the safety of Democratic lawmakers, who have been shaken by disruptive pro-Palestinian protests since the Israel-Hamas conflict began last year.
An anonymous lawmaker told Axios that some hotels have been receiving random calls asking for specific individuals, heightening security concerns. The official guidance from the House sergeant-at-arms advises Democratic representatives to avoid confrontation: “If you are confronted by protesters, try not to engage and report to [Capitol Police].”
Other lawmakers, also speaking anonymously, expressed concerns about safety, noting that they have been advised to steer clear of certain areas of the city due to the potential for violence, which has been a chronic issue in Chicago. One source told Axios, “The protesters aren’t staying in a designated protest site… and there are people who are going to go and really try to cause trouble.”
House Democrats have received a welcome package emphasizing that the Secret Service is in charge of convention security, coordinating with various law enforcement agencies, including the Capitol Police and the Chicago Police Department. The package also notes that over 400 hours of training have been provided to officers specifically for the event.
However, this may not fully alleviate the concerns of convention attendees, especially those who recall that the Secret Service was in charge of security at the Butler, Pennsylvania site of an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, where they also worked closely with local police.