TRT World: ‘Anger, resilience, joy': Pro-Palestine solidarity on streets of Chicago

Photo by Hafsa Haider, Communications Coordinator, who covered the March on DNC near the United Center on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19, 2024.

Mediators are present on the march routes to address any potential interventions by counter-protesters, CAIR’s Hafsa tells TRT World.

CAIR is among the organisations that have legal representatives on the ground to address any potential civil rights violations that may arise.

CAIR-Chicago’s Jeneen Suiafan distributing Know Your Rights guides to help keep protestors safe.

(Photo by Hafsa Haider, Communications Coordinator).

“There is a strong sense of non-partisanship in the air,” says Jeneen Suiafan, a 24-year-old Palestinian American attending the protests with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago). She tells TRT World that she feels “seen and represented” among this enthusiastic crowd.”

“We saw Kamala (Harris) a few days ago almost taunt some protestors, so we want to make sure that the demands are met very seriously and the voices of the Muslim American community are heard,” says Hafsa Haider, Communications Coordinator at CAIR-Chicago”

A volunteer from a "street medic first aid" group showing her essential water and saline solutions. As police in riot gear closed in on protestors after they broke down a barrier, many were seen equipped with tear gas masks in preparation for potential violent interactions.