First permitted protest at Democratic convention kicks off in Chicago

The first permitted demonstration scheduled to coincide with the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week is kicking off Sunday afternoon in the Loop.

The protest is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. local time Sunday, as delegates and political figures begin arriving to the city ahead of the convention, which officially begins Monday.

The march will begin on Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, according to group organizers. Local news organizations reported that the demonstrators will head toward Logan Statue by East 9th Street into Grant Park, walking a total of about 1.5 miles.

The march for “Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws” is organized by a national coalition of activist groups advocating for “bodily autonomy” — on issues ranging from abortion access, LGBTQ rights and safeguarding Palestinian lives in Gaza.

An organizer of the march, Linda Loew, told The Associated Press (AP) that the push for reproductive safety is international, and marchers will also protest the money that the U.S. spends overseas that could be used for health care at home.

"We believe that the billions of dollars that continue to flow to the state of Israel and the flow of weapons are having an inordinate and horrific impact, but in particular on women, children and the unborn," she said. "All of these things are tied together."

The demonstrations will take place each day of the convention, and organizers say they expect the crowds to be bigger than the ones held by the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month.

The largest group, the Coalition to March on the DNC, has demonstrations planned on the first and last days of the convention, and organizers say they expect at least 20,000 activists, including students protesting the war.

Chicago officials said they expect approximately 50,000 people to descend on the city for the convention, including delegates, activists and journalists. Local officials have been working with the Secret Service and police to ensure everyone’s safety.

Authorities and leaders in the state have said people who vandalize the city or are violent will be arrested.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a recent interview with the AP that authorities will make sure that people who vandalize the city or who engage in violence will be arrested.

“We’re going to make sure that people have their First Amendment rights protected, that they can do that in a safe way,” Johnson said.

The Associated Press contributed.