Democratic National Convention

Background

The 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) is scheduled from August 19 to August 22 in Chicago, Illinois. US Vice President, and presumptive Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris will be formally nominated alongside her running mate. Harris is the first Black-South Asian woman to become the White House standard-bearer for a major US political party and if elected, would be the first US female president.

The event will be held across two main locations:

United Center, the largest arena in the US, will host the event’s official proceedings, primetime programming, and speeches

McCormick Place will host daytime DNC business, meetings and briefings

Around 50,000 visitors are expected, including 5,000 delegates and 15,000 media representatives, general members of the public are not permitted to attend events. Event hosts have contracted thousands of hotel rooms at over 40 hotels in the city within a five-mile radius of the venues. The Marriott Marquis and the Hyatt Regency at the McCormick Place complex will be the official headquarters hotels.

The DNC is designated a National Special Security Event (NSSE), therefore the United States Secret Service (USSS) is the lead agency for the design and implementation of its security plan and will work alongside local law enforcement to protect and respond to the event.

The DNC is a politically significant event which presents several potential threats to officials, businesses and public safety.

Analysis

Protests

Several demonstrations are planned throughout the DNC in “demonstration zones” that are yet to be announced, however, the city has released a map of its proposed march route (1.4 miles) which a spokesperson for the Coalition to March on the DNC claims is inadequate. Several protest organizations have had their protest permits denied by the city, which has led to groups claiming that the decisions have been unconstitutional. This friction presents the threat of spontaneous and unorganized protesting which could lead to escalations. The Coalition to March on the RNC successfully obtained the right to demonstrate within the event’s soft security zone, therefore last minute changes to protest routes at the DNC are possible.

Protest organizations expected to demonstrate near the DNC are:

March Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws August 18
Poor People's Army August 19
March On Madison Street in Honor of Jay Jay to End Gun Violence August 19
No Peace for Genocide Enablers: Shut Down the DNC August 21
March on the DNC 2024 (a coalition of pro-Palestinian organizations) August 19 & 22

See the Security Impact Map for known protest activity locations.

Following a reported “technicality” the Poor People’s Army is the only organization that has been authorized to march within the United Center’s security perimeter according to its march route. This development means that demonstrators from other organizations looking to get closer to the venue, may be able to do so under the guise of the Poor People’s Army route. This increases the threat of clashes with police or violent/disruptive counter-protesting. Plans suggest that the city is anticipating protest related arrests as it is reportedly providing a temporary facility for judges to handle a surge in cases.

The Coalition to March on the RNC attracted hundreds of protesters and counter-protesters but took place largely without incident. Samdesk provided real-time updates as the march moved.

Chicago PD Superintendent Snelling advises that law enforcement is seeking to keep the entire city safe, not just the impact area of the event. In addition to Chicago’s local officers, several groups of out-of-town officers will be deployed to serve specific roles, to free up local officers to perform their duties effectively. It is suggested that this approach follows lessons learned from an officer-involved shooting near the RNC in July.

Terrorism and extremism

The USSS is the lead agency for the design and implementation of the event’s security plan. A buffer zone delivered through security perimeters, physical barriers and checkpoints will be in effect to protect the venues and the surrounding area to mitigate threats. All weapons are prohibited from the inner security perimeter unless carried by working law enforcement officers.

The threat level of attacks occurring at DNC venues or within the security perimeter is deemed to be low. Whilst intent is considered to be high, comprehensive security plans significantly mitigate a threat actor’s capability. However, the threat of attacks outside the security perimeter with fewer mitigations (eg local hotels, nearby amenities, protesting crowds) is considered to be a medium threat.

The National Counterterrorism Center advises that the threat of lone actor and foreign extremism attacks on US soil continues to be a “real-world threat”, with most attacks likely to follow basic methods such as gunfire in crowded spaces or vehicle rammings.

On Jan 6, 2021 pipe bombs were discovered at the DNC and RNC headquarters, believed to have been planted the day before the attack on the Capitol building. Harris reportedly walked within feet of the devices, however there is no evidence the bombs were targeting an individual. Those responsible for planting the devices have yet to be identified by police.

There are concerns of “copycat” attacks following an assassination attempt on former president and Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump at a campaign rally in July. The USSS has been heavily criticized following the security failures that led to the assassination attempt which has eroded trust in the country’s ability to protect candidates and the elections from harm. Additionally, a surge of misinformation and conspiracy theories quickly circulated online suggesting that the attack had been orchestrated by US President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party, raising concerns that Republican supporters influenced by the theories may coordinate a retaliation attack. Despite this, senior law enforcement officials have reassured the community that strategic preparedness plans are in place, additional training and drills have been conducted and “Chicago is ready.”

Crime and public safety

Chicago is a comparatively violent city compared to other major citites across the US with high homicide rates and firearm crimes. Samdesk analytics data from year to date shows that Weapon Threats, Shootings and Armed Robberies are the top three most prevelant crimes.

Chicago also suffers from gang-related violence and the DNC venues are located close to “Gangster Disciples” territory. While gang-related violence is usually limited to rival gang activity, it is often advised to avoid these areas as much as possible.

Chicago has also experienced an increase in hate crimes over the last year, with most hate crimes targeting Jewish, Black or LGBTQ+ communities (specifically homosexual men). Demonstrators representing a broad range of social and political issues are expected to protest in the city throughout the DNC, therefore the threat of hate crimes or targeted harassment of certain groups is possible.

Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman was fatally shot at her home in Springfield by Illinois police officers after calling them to investigate a possible intruder in July. The incident led to murder charges for the Illinois deputy and has sparked protests against police brutality and the Black community. The DNC will increase police presence across the city, presenting more opportunities for clashes between the police and the public.

Local public officials are at risk of threats and harassment following studies which have shown an increase in cases across the country. Several high-profile incidents of in-person harassment have already been reported this year, with events such as the DNC providing an opportunity to threaten, harass or attack officials.

Disruptions

To ensure the safety of attendees and the surrounding area, several security checkpoints, security perimeters and road closures will be in effect.

Screening, vehicle and pedestrian perimeters

Security restrictions will take effect from August 16 22:00 local time (McCormick Place) and August 17 19:00 local time (United Center).

Employees, attendees and residents will be subject to security screening checkpoints (pedestrian and vehicular) to enter the security perimeter. Authorized individuals will be permitted to enter using ID verification
Delivery drivers entering the security perimeters must go through the Commercial Vehicle Screening Site and expect all vehicles to be sealed
Taxis, rideshares and food delivery are permitted within the Vehicle Screening Perimeter via a screening checkpoint, admission to the Pedestrian Perimeter will not be permitted
A designated rideshare pickup point will be located at Madison & Paulina for the United Center
There will be several additional parking restrictions
The removal of perimeters and the reopening of streets is expected to begin as soon as the event concludes on August 22

Public transport

Officials recommend using public transport over personal vehicles due to anticipated traffic impacts.

The CTA operates across Chicago and 35 surrounding suburbs. There are currently no planned disruptions to service for the duration of the DNC, however, there are planned reroutes near the event venues and to avoid street closures. Download the Ventra App for transit updates
Metra rail also operates in downtown Chicago to outer regions, with a direct line between McCormick Place and other downtown venues. There are no planned disruptions to service

Street closures

United Center Road Closures

West Washington Boulevard from Damen Avenue to South Wood Street
Damen Avenue from Jackson Boulevard to West Washington Boulevard
West Warren Boulevard from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
West Madison Street from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
West Monroe Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
West Adams Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
South Horner Street from West Monroe Street to West Adams Street
South Wood Street from West Washington Boulevard to West Jackson Boulevard
South Seeley Avenue from West Madison Street to West Adams Street

McCormick Place Road Closures

Indiana Avenue from 18th to E. 24th Place
Michigan Avenue from 21st to 25th Street
Cermak Road from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
23rd Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
Prairie Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
24th Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
Calumet Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
24th Place from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
MLK Drive from Cermak Rd. to 25th Street
E 21st Street closed from, and inclusive of, S. Michigan Avenue to S. Calumet Avenue
E 21st St is open from west of S Michigan Avenue to inclusive of S Wabash Avenue and E 21st

No trucks or anything larger than passenger cars are permitted on Interstate 55 / Stevenson Expressway between Dusable Lake Shore Drive and S State Street in both directions

The MLK Blvd Exit from I-55 northbound lanes (eastbound), inclusive of the I-55 turnaround lane (northbound to southbound) will be closed except to vehicles specifically authorized by the USSS.