Security is always tight at Chicago’s Accenture Tower, a skyscraper that connects to a downtown transportation hub and houses the Israeli consulate. This week it will resemble a fortress.
Located less than two miles (3.2 kilometers) from where Vice President Kamala Harris will speak at the Democratic National Convention, the tower is bracing for protests. Pro-Palestinian groups are planning a mass demonstration outside the building, urging followers to “Shut Down the DNC for Gaza!” and decrying Harris over her support for Israel in its war against Hamas.
The protests will now become a major test for Harris, who has been on a swift ascent since President Joe Biden stepped aside from the race amid concerns about his age and mental acuity. The tension between her bid for party unity and the activists’ goal of upsetting the festivities also puts the spotlight on Chicago’s security plans — and concerns from police and Democratic leaders over the risk of disruptions and the images they would present to the world.
The worries are exacerbated by memories of two events that rocked Chicago: