CHICAGO − Deanna Othman observes the excitement surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris’ rapid pursuit of the presidency, but she and others in the largest Palestinian community in the U.S. are not swayed. They are firmly skeptical that Harris, President Joe Biden, and other officials visiting for the Democratic National Convention will address their primary concern: a cease-fire in Gaza.

However, Othman regards the arrival of Democratic leaders in Chicago as fortunate, believing it offers a chance for Palestinian American voices to make a significant impact.

“This moment feels like the peak of our protests over recent months because we’ll have a global audience,” stated Othman, a resident of Oak Lawn, a suburb of Chicago. “It’s a crucial time for us to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide and help people truly grasp the situation.”

The DNC’s decision to hold its event in Chicago was made before the Oct. 7 assault by Hamas on Israel that resulted in 1,200 deaths and triggered intense military action in Gaza. Since then, over 40,000 Palestinian lives have been lost, leading to an escalation of anti-war demonstrations in Chicago ahead of the upcoming visits from Biden and Harris.

The region’s anti-war movement has seen substantial participation from local Palestinian Americans, featured in pro-Palestinian truck parades and sit-ins across Chicago’s premier universities.

Apart from advocating for a ceasefire, many Chicago Palestinians are concerned that the Democratic leadership’s weak stance on the Gaza conflict may have fueled anti-Muslim hostility, evidenced by hate crimes such as the tragic murder of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume in a supposed hate crime in nearby Will County.

Cook County hosts more than 15,000 individuals of Palestinian heritage, according to U.S. Census data, making it the largest Palestinian community in the nation. Los Angeles County follows, with fewer than 5,000 Palestinians.

The impact of this community is reflected in various ways, including Chicago becoming the first major U.S. city to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire, alongside a considerable protest vote against Biden in the March Democratic primary, and the culturally rich area known as Little Palestine in Bridgeview, which features signs in Arabic.

Abdelnasser Rashid, a native of Chicago with ties to the West Bank, serves in the State House representing the southern suburbs and is notable for being the first Palestinian to win a seat in the Illinois legislature.

This 35-year-old politician reports that he consistently receives messages from constituents, Palestinians nationwide, and residents in Gaza urging Democrats to aggressively advocate for a ceasefire and halt the arms supply to the region.

“Many individuals feel like their leaders in Washington, D.C. have let them down,” Rashid remarked. “The Biden administration’s response to the situation in Israel has felt like a deep betrayal.”

Experiencing the conflict from Little Palestine

The impact of Israeli airstrikes, even thousands of miles away, resonates deeply with many residents of Cook County.

Othman’s family roots are in the West Bank, while her husband comes from Gaza. They visited the area last year, just months before the attacks on October 7, and now, they are constantly preoccupied with concern for relatives and friends whose well-being remains uncertain.

“It’s incredibly hard to live in this state of uncertainty, not knowing what will occur with them from one moment to the next,” she shares, noting how her children are closely following the news. “These aren’t just images of devastation; they include places they’ve visited or even people they might recognize among the casualties.”

Muhammad Baste, the proprietor of M’daKhan, Baste runs a halal eatery located in the bustling area often dubbed “Little Palestine” in Bridgeview. He notes that it’s common to see the streets filled with people rallying against the war.

Baste observes that the local Democratic leaders aren’t receiving much support from the community, reflecting displeasure about current events.

The conversations he overhears in his restaurant often touch on the conflict, especially following tragic events, like the recent bombing in Gaza that reportedly killed around 100 individuals, as per the Gaza government’s reports.

“This topic has become pervasive in our discussions,” Baste remarked. “Even though it’s happening far away, it weighs on our minds with everything we do.”

Many individuals in the community struggle with feelings of guilt for being safe in the U.S., free from the threats of bombing and food scarcity.

Widespread concern and passionate activism

This sense of guilt is coupled with a strong urgency to utilize their rights as American citizens.

“Our families faced immense challenges to attain the freedoms we enjoy, like free speech and religious liberty,” stated Reem Odeh, a lawyer from a suburb neighboring Little Palestine, noting her relatives have engaged in multiple protest caravans.

Pro-Palestinian activism has been highly visible throughout Chicago, with demonstrators previously shutting down traffic on routes to O’Hare International Airport and even turning the waters of Buckingham Fountain red in various protests.

Students across universities like Northwestern, DePaul, and the University of Chicago have organized significant protests, which led to police intervention and the arrest of 68 people, amidst allegations of excessive force.

Community members also arranged a protest vote during the Democratic primary against President Biden. Since Illinois doesn’t track unverified candidates closely, it’s challenging to document these protest votes, unlike states such as Michigan and Massachusetts, where similar movements gained momentum.

However, an analysis of the Chicago Board of Elections indicated about 50,000 ballots were either written for alternate candidates or left blank – indicative of protest votes – which marks a significant increase from previous elections.

Odeh, who opted not to vote for Biden, mentioned that her community remains uncertain about their voting choices in the upcoming November elections.

Residents express a sense of manipulation by the Democratic Party, feeling their interests are overlooked, especially considering the party’s stance on Israel, which they believe condones anti-Muslim sentiments.

“Your taxpayer money contributes to actions that result in devastation, and if you voice your concerns, you become labeled a terrorist,” Odeh explained. “It’s as if there’s a free pass for hostility towards Muslims or Palestinians.”

Odeh cited three heartbreaking events as recent examples of anti-Muslim violence: the tragic murder of 6-year-old Wadea in October, the shooting of three Palestinian students in Vermont the following month, and the confrontation faced by students at UCLA by opposing protesters earlier this spring.

To her, the violence against Palestinians in Gaza and a rise in Islamophobia in the U.S. will be forces driving her to protest outside the convention.

Large demonstrations anticipated for DNC

The significant protest during the convention is being organized by the Coalition to March on the DNC.

Hatem Abudayyeh, a Chicago resident with connections to the West Bank and the coalition’s spokesperson, noted that they expect a massive turnout for their primary demonstration on Monday.

He believes that the DNC’s presence in Chicago provides local pro-Palestinian individuals a unique opportunity to amplify their voices.

“The community response during the convention week will highlight the importance of this moment,” Abudayyeh asserted. “We may not be heard inside, but we’ll certainly make our presence felt outside.”

However, Abudayyeh remains skeptical about receiving any significant policy changes regarding Gaza from the conference.

“There’s virtually no chance of that occurring,” he stated. “We have a saying in Arabic: I’d cut off my arm if that happened.”