DOJ Monitors Pro-Gaza Protest at DNC

CHICAGO — A pro-Gaza protest took place on Thursday night, with Justice Department officers accompanying demonstrators along a permitted route north of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). This event followed earlier tensions when some protesters deviated from the approved path, breaching security fencing close to the United Center, where President Joe Biden was scheduled to speak. Earlier in the week, protesters attempted to access Park 578, the site of a previous security breach, but were met with police resistance. The presence of Justice Department officers, specifically from the Community Resource Services (CRS) division, marked a notable change in the handling of the protest, as they provided oversight along the designated route, contrasting with the more confrontational approach seen in previous days. In a move that raised concerns among journalists, both CRS and local law enforcement restricted press access, corralling reporters away from the street and threatening to revoke credentials for those who strayed from the designated areas. This action has sparked questions regarding the rationale behind the increased law enforcement presence and the restrictions placed on media coverage. Neither the Department of Justice nor the CRS provided comments regarding their deployment during the protest, leaving observers to speculate on the motivations behind the heightened security measures in light of the ongoing demonstrations surrounding the DNC.