RIGHT NOW: Riots at the conventio

The US presidential election
Protests outside the Democratic convention

Emelie Svensson

Updated 00.53 | Published 00.41

A man is taken into police custody. Photo: Nora Savosnick

CHICAGO. About a hundred protesters have broken through the first barrier into the Democratic convention in Chicago.

They were met by riot police and several people were dragged away from the crowd.

At least four people have been arrested.
A young man aged 25 was taken away with his arms behind his back.

"I am not resisting the arrest, why am I being arrested?", he says when Aftonbladet's team is on site.

The atmosphere is tense as the police try to bring the crowd under control.
In the background, the protesters shout that the arrested should be released. Demonstrators cross arms at the same time as more and more police officers flock to the scene.

Another barrier separates the crowd from the convention area, but it is only about a hundred meters to the arena where the Democrats' top politicians gather tonight Swedish time.

The police have prepared for chaos

Even before the party convention, the police had prepared for potential chaos when pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest against "Killer Kamala".

Thousands of protesters have flocked to Chicago to hold Harris accountable for the Biden administration's policies, which they say support a genocide in Gaza. The protesters demand that the US stop sending weapons to Israel and want to see a ceasefire.
Only after half an hour of commotion do the police manage to rebuild the fence and fight back the protest.
There are then only a couple of hours left until President Biden steps onto the stage inside the arena.

          

        

        Tens of thousands of protesters are expected in Chicago.

        1 / 2Photo: Nora Savosnick