City of Chicago OEMC
August 16, 2024 

City of Chicago Releases Information Regarding Permitted Parades and Assemblies During the Democratic National Convention

CHICAGO – In partnership with the U.S. Secret Service, the City of Chicago is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and attendees of the upcoming Democratic National Convention (DNC) while fully upholding the First Amendment rights of individuals and groups.

“In preparing to host the Democratic National Convention as mayor of the City of Chicago, I have remained committed to upholding the diverse, multi-generational movements that brought me by exercising the right to protest and First Amendment rights,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “We are focused on collaborative solutions and have extended this approach to our convention preparation to balance the need for security with our commitment to free expression.

“Under the guidance of the U.S. Secret Service, and through the work of our organizers, law enforcement, and community leaders, we are confident that Chicago will host a convention that is not only secure but also vibrant – showcasing the very best of our city to the world.”

The following is the schedule for permitted parades and assemblies coinciding with the DNC:

Sunday, August 18

• 5:00 p.m. Assembly | 6:00 p.m. Step-Off

       - Route: Southbound on Michigan Ave from Wacker to 9th, then east into Grant Park before disbanding.
       - Permit applicant: Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws: Coalition for Reproductive Justice and LGBTQ+ Liberation
 
Monday, August 19

• 8:00 a.m. Assembly | 9:00 a.m. Step-Off

• Route: Union Park to Park 578, via Washington to Hermitage, Hermitage to Maypole, Maypole to Park 578, exit Park 578 at Maypole, via Maypole to Damen, Damen to Lake, Lake to Union Park.

• Permit applicant: United States Palestinian Community Network

· 11:00 a.m. Assembly | 12:00 p.m. Step-Off

• Route: Union Park to Park 578, following the same route as

• Permit applicant: Students for a Democratic Society at UIC

· 12:00 p.m. Assembly | 2:00 p.m. Step-Off

• Route: Union Park to Park 578, following the same route as

• Permit applicant: Chicago Alliance against Racist and Political Repression

· 3:00 p.m. Assembly | 4:00 p.m. Step-Off

• Route: 3015 W Division St, eastbound on Division to Damen, southbound on Damen to Maypole, eastbound on Maypole to Park Disband by 6:00 p.m. at Park 578.
• Permit applicant: Poor People’s Human Rights Campaign
  

Thursday, August 22

• 12:00 p.m. Assembly | 2:00 p.m. Step-Off

      - Route: Union Park to Park 578, following the same route as
      - Permit applicant: Chicago Alliance against Racist and Political Repression

· 5:00 p.m. Assembly | 6:00 p.m. Step-Off

•     Route: Union Park to Park 578, following the same route as
•     Permit applicant: March for the People’s Agenda

Park 578 and Union Park

On Monday, August 19 and Thursday, August 22, groups have been permitted to assemble in Park 578 and Union Park. The City has agreed to permit the group Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression to have a stage and sound system, and portable toilets on the far east side of Union Park. Tents and canopies are not permitted.

Speaker’s Platform in Park 578

In addition to the demonstrations listed above, the City of Chicago is providing a speaker’s platform and sound amplification equipment at Park 578. The schedule and speaker’s list are available in the following Speaker’s Platform Schedule. The speaking slots were issued on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception that groups that had previously applied for a parade or assembly permit were given priority for a time slot during their event.

The speaking slots will be 45 minutes in length and will begin at the top of the hour starting at 11:00am, with the final slot beginning at 6:00 p.m. each day. The full list of rules can be found in the following Rules for Speaker’s Platform During the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

As outlined in the Rules, any unassigned time slots will be made available for day-of sign- up on a first-come, first-serve basis on-site at Park 578 during the Speaker’s Platform Operating Hours.

The City of Chicago encourages the public to allow extra time for travel during the week of the convention.

There are multiple ways for residents, businesses and visitors to stay informed and receive up-to-date information. For complete details, visit Chicago.gov/OEMC and download the Chicago OEMC App.

OEMC issues alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on traffic impacts, street closures, weather conditions and emergencies.

•     DNC 2024 Alert, TEXT “DNC”: to 2-2-6-7-8-7
•     Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at org
•     CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3

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https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/supp_info/application-process-for-dnc-demonstration-speaker-s-platform.html