A pro-Israel group claims that the city of Chicago has repeatedly ignored its requests to march near the Democratic National Convention later this month, while giving the "green light" to demonstrations by an anti-Israel group.
The Israeli-American Council (IAC), a nonprofit organization that works to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Israel, has accused the city of Chicago of bias after its permit requests to hold a solidarity march during the Democratic National Convention were ignored.
Aya Shechter, chief programming officer for the IAC, told Jewish Insider, "It seems like we don’t have equitable access to whatever the other group was approved for. We didn’t get any offer to do a march, not even in an alternative location."
Chicago City Hall Accused of Bias as Pro-Israel Group Denied Permits Near DNC
The IAC submitted two permit applications in early July but says it has not received an answer, despite following up with the city's Department of Transportation. In June, the city denied the IAC's request to hold a stationary protest within "sight and sound" of the convention, citing public safety concerns and insufficient city resources.
The city offered the group an alternative location in a park two to three blocks away from the United Center on the final night of the convention, but the IAC rejected the offer, saying it was too far away.
Chicago City Hall Accused of Bias as Pro-Israel Group Denied Permits Near DNC
Meanwhile, the city of Chicago is embroiled in legal battles with anti-Israel activists who seek to hold their own protests near the convention hall. A federal lawsuit filed by a coalition of anti-Israel protesters claims their First Amendment rights are being violated after officials blocked their permit requests to march within "sight and sound" of the convention.
Last week, Mayor Brandon Johnson's office reportedly offered these protesters a route "adjacent" to the United Center, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Chicago City Hall Accused of Bias as Pro-Israel Group Denied Permits Near DNC
The IAC expressed disappointment with the city's perceived unequal treatment of the two groups of protesters.
"This lack of timely response and equitable access suggests an uneven playing field, especially when our goal is to peacefully raise awareness about the U.S. citizens affected by the October 7 attacks and those still held hostage by Hamas as well as the unbreakable bond between Israel and the US," the group said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Chicago City Hall Accused of Bias as Pro-Israel Group Denied Permits Near DNC
"We are committed to finding creative ways to get our message across and stand in solidarity with Israel, even if the city continues to stall our permit requests."
The city of Chicago denied that permits to protest near the United Center had been issued.
"The City of Chicago fully supports the rights of individuals and groups to safely exercise their First Amendment right to protest. While ongoing litigation prevents us from commenting on specific details about the route or assembly area, we can confirm that demonstrators will be able to protest within sight and sound of the United Center. No Assembly or Parade permits near the United Center or McCormick place have been issued at this time," the city stated.
The city added that "the political affiliation of a group is not a factor when reviewing permit applications" and that permits are reviewed by multiple departments to identify potential conflicts, safety issues, and resource availability.
