Protesters in solidarity with Gaza breach security barrier at Democratic convention site in Chicago

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated in Chicago on Monday as President Joe Biden arrived for the opening of the Democratic National Convention, protesting his administration's support for Israel in the Gaza war.

Reuters reported that demonstrators breached the security barrier surrounding the conference site, where thousands took to the streets to denounce the US administration's support for Israel in its war on Gaza, prompting security forces to rush to the site and intervene.

"Law enforcement personnel are currently on scene and we will provide more information as it becomes available," a Chicago City spokesperson said.

As the crowds of protesters advanced, dozens of breakaway protesters tore down parts of the security fence. Some protesters, dressed in black and covering their faces, dragged pieces of the fence to a park near the convention site at the United Center in Chicago.

Members of the crowd chanted, “End the occupation now” and “The whole world is watching,” just as anti-Vietnam War protesters did at the 1968 Chicago conference when police clashed with demonstrators on live television. Officers wore gas masks as some protesters tried to pull down another fence set up in front of the police.

"Biden, you can't hide. We charge you with genocide," protesters chanted amid drumbeats. They also called him "Genocide Joe" and made similar slogans against Vice President Kamala Harris.

#BREAKING | Dispersal called in Union Park on DNC pro-Palestine protesters in Chicago.

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During a brief technical test on stage in Chicago, Biden told reporters, "I'm ready to pass the torch."

Less than a month after his surprise withdrawal from the race and Harris's dramatic rise, Democrats are honoring the president with a tribute befitting his long years in politics, with the same officials who helped push him out because of concerns about his health and age participating.

Biden, 81, is expected to assert that Harris, the first black woman of South Asian descent to serve as vice president, is best placed to carry out the task he has undertaken in his only term, which is to protect American democracy from the threat of his Republican opponent, Donald Trump.

Harris will appear briefly alongside Biden on stage as he delivers his farewell address, in a symbolic moment of unity among Democrats over his White House succession.

Biden said Sunday he felt "comfortable, really comfortable" about his speech, after spending the weekend putting the finishing touches on it with close aides at Camp David, the presidential retreat in rural Maryland.

Introduction to Harris' Speech
Biden is well aware that his political legacy depends on Harris defeating Republican candidate Donald Trump in the elections, and he is aware that if her opponent defeats her, many will blame him for staying in the race for so long before withdrawing in the final round.

First lady Jill Biden, 73, will take the stage in Chicago ahead of her husband, who will be introduced by his daughter Ashley.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden "looks forward to speaking about the historic successes he has achieved for our country with the vice president."

Despite the honor, the withdrawal will inevitably have a bitter taste for the president, who has watched Harris rise to the top of Trump, even surpassing him in some opinion polls, and the wave of enthusiasm that has swept the Democrats, something he was unable to achieve during his candidacy.

The president's remarks will be an introduction to Harris, who will deliver her acceptance speech on Tuesday, something the president was preparing to do in person just a few weeks ago.

Biden will not stay for his vice president's speech, but will return immediately after his speech to begin a six-day vacation in California, while the convention continues without him.

Meanwhile, Trump addressed his economic program in Pennsylvania on Monday.

The former Republican president pledged to shift toward protectionism and broad deregulation, and criticized Harris's "communist" projects, accusing her of "not knowing what she's doing" and of "turning against" Biden.

Democrats hail Biden as the candidate who defeated Trump in 2020 and then led the country out of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the trauma of Jan. 6, 2021, when supporters of the former president stormed the Capitol.

And if Biden had basically stuck with his candidacy despite his disastrous performance in his televised debate against Trump in June, which led to a rise in Democratic voices calling for him to step down, his sacrifice was ultimately met with widespread gratitude and praise among Democrats.

Harris turned the campaign on its head, galvanizing young people, women and black voters, groups that had lost interest in the election when the race was between two old white men.

In contrast, the campaign of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said that the Democratic National Convention platform confirms that Harris does not have different policies from President Biden, and does not adopt a plan to fix the crises caused by his administration, according to her.

The campaign added in a statement that Harris is trying to portray herself as a candidate seeking change, and indicated that the vice president wants to continue implementing Biden's agenda to destroy the economy and destabilize the world.

The statement considered that Harris represents the extremist and crazy class of socialists and communists who run the country under Biden's rule, according to the statement.

In contrast, this shift in the race has shaken Trump's campaign, who has denounced a "coup" by Democrats against Biden.

In parallel with the Democratic convention, Trump will tour hotly contested states, and intends to hold campaign rallies throughout the week in Pennsylvania, Michigan and North Carolina.

The latest RealClearPolitics poll shows Harris with 48.1% of voters' support, compared to 46.7% for Trump, a 1.4% lead.

(Al Jazeera Net)