MILWAUKEE — As the Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago, the city braced for a wave of protests. Among the expected thousands are pro-Palestinian protesters from Wisconsin.

What You Need To Know

  • Chicago braced for a wave of protests as the Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago

  • Among the expected thousands are pro-Palestinian protesters from Wisconsin

  • On Monday morning, a small group of protesters gathered outside Zao Church, across from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus

  • The group, which consists of students and long-time activists, is part of a larger movement to press the Democratic Party to take a firmer stance on the ongoing situation in Gaza

On Monday morning, a small group of protesters gathered outside Zao Church, across from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus.

“I, like so many other voters in Wisconsin, want to send a clear message to the Democratic Party and its nominees that we’re not going to even be considering voting for them until at the very least we get a ceasefire,” said Heba Mohammad, a pro-Palestinian advocate. 

The group, which consists of students and long-time activists, is part of a larger movement to press the Democratic Party to take a firmer stance on the ongoing situation in Gaza. 

Among them is Anatoli Rasmussen, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Rasmussen said the stakes in this election are personal.

“Show the Democrats they have to earn our vote, not just say that the Republicans are worse and that they deserve it because they have proven that they don’t deserve it,” said Rasmussen. “We got to make sure we show them that we draw the red line at genocide and supporting war crimes.”

Jim Carpenter, co-chair of the Progressive Democrats of America’s End Wars Working Group, said the party’s current approach to the Israel-Palestinian conflict could cost them key swing voters like himself. Though, he said he is hopeful of the outcome. 

“I couldn’t support Joe Biden because for months, he’s been supporting Israel and they’re slaughtering Palestine,” said Carpenter. “Of course, Harris is part of the Biden-Harris administration, but I have great hope that Harris will change her position and that I’ll be able to vote for her.”

However, for some activists, it may already be too late. Mohammad, like many others in her group, said she decided to support a third-party candidate, feeling disillusioned by the Democratic Party’s response.

“For me, it is far too late,” said Mohammad. “Even if they were to enact a ceasefire tomorrow.”

Mohammad and her fellow activists said unless the Democratic Party changes course, they risk losing support in these battleground states. 

“If they want to win in Wisconsin, they have to meet our demands,” she said.

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