Noting campus protests, Democrats are preparing for intense action at their summer convention

WASHINGTON (AP) — As pro-Palestinian demonstrations escalate on college campuses around the country, critics of President Joe Biden ‘s handling of the Israel-Hamas war suggest this summer’s Democratic National Convention could be hit by protests and scenes of chaos that undermine his reelection campaign.

Already, 65-plus organizations in Chicago and elsewhere have formed a coalition to “March on the DNC” when it opens there on Aug. 19. Activists have sued in federal court, alleging First Amendment violations because the city has only offered permits for demonstrations miles from the United Center, where Biden is scheduled to accept the Democratic presidential nomination.

Protesters preparing for the convention have vowed to march on it anyway, raising the specter of clashes with police that could undercut Biden and further divide the Democratic base. They think the campus demonstrations — and broad Democratic disapproval of the war — will fuel their efforts.

Some are suggesting August’s meeting could look like 1968’s Democratic convention in Chicago, where a violent police crackdown on anti-Vietnam War protesters created indelible scenes of chaos widely blamed for weakening the eventual party nominee, Hubert Humphrey.

<bsp-list-loadmore data-module="" class=«PageListStandardB» data-gtm-region=«READ MORE» data-gtm-topic=«No Value» data-show-loadmore=«true» data-gtm-modulestyle=«List B»> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> READ MORE </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Some colleges that had been permissive of pro-Palestinian protests begin taking a tougher stance </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Judge denies pretrial release of a man charged with