Dem Chicago mayor embraces massive protests at DNC, says it’s a ‘privilege' to hear ‘grievances’

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he's not worried that the massive protests planned by pro-Palestinian groups for the Democratic National Convention this week could overshadow the convention, Kamala Harris or her ascendance to serve as the party’s standardbearer. Instead, Johnson insisted on Sunday in an ABC interview that Democrats "can handle" the demonstrations because it is a “privilege” to hear and experience the kind of protest where people can “bring their grievances” to the party leadership. Those protests began Sunday night with demonstrators vowing to "bring the war home."

Despite musings that protesters might be prepared to maintain the political honeymoon for Harris, the vice president has become the same target as President Joe Biden, protesters argue, even as she has tried to remove herself from the Biden-Harris administration’s legacy–which is, of course, her legacy as vice president.

"We're ready for this convention," Johnson told ABC correspondent Martha Raddatz on Sunday. "In fact, the city of Chicago, as you know, has hosted the most conventions in our country's history because it turns out we're actually really good at this. You know, the part that's actually most exciting, though, in this moment, is that this is a party that can handle protests and protecting the First Amendment right, which is fundamental to our democracy, while also strengthening our democracy and speaking to the future of our country,” Johnson said, suggesting such an attitude was “unlike the Republican Party.”

“I don't know what's worse: watching the Republican Party or breakdancing at the Olympics,” Johnson quipped to ABC.

The mayor assured viewers that safety will be paramount for the convention, though the Chicago Police Department has about 1,700 fewer officers than it did just five years ago. Johnson said the Chicago PD will work well with the Secret Service “as well as other local agencies to ensure a safe, peaceful, yet vibrant, exciting convention" and noted that his city "has been rated number one as it relates to convention centers and how we make sure that we protect people, while also providing an opportunity to see the beauty and the soul of who we are."

Johnson refused to answer whether he expects few anti-Israel protesters to be in town with Harris replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee but chose to emphasize the “tremendous excitement” that he says Harris fuels at every campaign stop.

Johnson couldn’t say enough about her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), whom the mayor described as “an amazing human being” and a paragon of a social studies teacher.

With all the “excitement,” Johnson said there is no worry about tolerating “dissent to ensure that the voices of individuals who want the government to be better”

“And in fact, you know, we support the First Amendment, and we have to make sure that we protect the rights of individuals. It's a privilege to be able to bring their grievances to this, to the leadership and for our party to respond."

An estimated 100,000 pro-Palestinian protesters are anticipated to protest in five major rallies this week at the DNC, Fox News reported.