CHICAGO — It’s a far cry from 1968.

The possibility of large protests against the Gaza conflict overshadowing the Democratic National Convention and leading to chaos in Chicago has stirred both excitement among supporters and anxiety among some observers.

However, instead of dominating the headlines, the focus in Chicago has largely been on the enthusiastic backing for Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The anticipated massive demonstrations in support of Gaza have turned out to be much smaller than organizers had hoped.

With one night left, as Harris readies to formally accept her party’s presidential nomination, the stakes are high for both the anti-war movement and the city’s officials.

Harris is feeling pressure not only from the streets but also from delegates inside the United Center who are urging for a Palestinian American speaker to be featured at the convention.

According to the Chicago police, four nights of protests—from Sunday to Wednesday—led to approximately 72 arrests. Most occurred on Tuesday night when a group of more aggressive protesters clashed with law enforcement outside the Israeli consulate. Additional arrests took place the previous night when a splinter group of marchers dismantled part of the security perimeter.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling criticized reporters for their focus on the potential for violence and chaos reminiscent of the 1968 Democratic convention, instead highlighting that most protests were conducted peacefully.

“It’s 2024. And the Chicago Police Department has demonstrated that,” Snelling remarked. “So let’s move on from 1968.”

Residents largely unaffected by protests

Throughout most of Chicago, daily life has proceeded without major interruptions. The road closures have largely been limited to the area surrounding the United Center where the demonstrations are taking place. Some local businesses preemptively boarded their windows in anticipation of the convention, but there have been no significant reports of property damage.

Angela Bradley, a public school teacher who lives on a protest route, noted that the demonstrations unfolded as she was informed by the Secret Service.

“As long as it’s peaceful,” she remarked, adding that she even participated in the march on Monday, filming it on her phone.

“As a social studies teacher, this will provide great material for my students,” she explained. “It may be disruptive, but that’s the essence of a protest. This exemplifies democracy.”

Violence ‘not part of the plan’ for protest organizers

There are about 2,500 police and 500 additional officers from other areas managing security at the convention, overseeing vehicle checkpoints and monitoring pedestrian movement on the march routes. They responded heavily during clashes on Tuesday with a militant protest group, Behind Enemy Lines, and outnumbered the demonstrators at that time.

Organizers expected the demonstration on Monday to attract between 20,000 and 40,000 participants; however, only about 4,000 attended.

While there were arrests made on Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday’s march was largely peaceful, featuring many families with children, and no arrests were recorded.

In stark contrast, the protests in 1968 were far larger, marked by significant confrontations such as “the Battle of Michigan Avenue,” where 10,000 demonstrators against the Vietnam War clashed with police, resulting in injuries for about 100 protesters and 119 officers, and over 600 arrests.

Violence was never intended as part of the agenda for the largest protest so far, emphasized Muhammad Sankari, from the Chicagoland chapter of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network.

“To be clear, violence is not what we stand for,” Sankari stated. “Such claims stemmed from fear tactics employed by our opposition and, to a degree, the Chicago Police Department.”

Sankari noted that his organization has maintained a peaceful approach since the commencement of the rallies and denied accusations that they promoted violence.

“If the situation weren’t so dire, it would be almost comical to discuss the genocide happening in Gaza. There is no violence greater than that,” Sankari stated. “What sort of violence can we even discuss if we are ignoring genocide?”

Inside the United Center, attendees of the convention witnessed expressions of dissatisfaction through protests. Many delegates sported scarves, shirts, and buttons proclaiming, “Democrats for Palestinian Rights” and “Ceasefire Now.” At times, protesters disrupted certain convention proceedings. On Wednesday night, some delegates who had not pledged support conducted a sit-in outside the convention hall.

“We’re here to stay. Our movement is gaining momentum,” declared Abbas Alawieh, a Michigan delegate who participated in the sit-in. “People are recognizing their humanity when they see the suffering of children in Gaza, who are facing horrific injuries.”