While attending the final day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention [DNC], Niles West student journalists walked down to Union Park in search of protester interviews. They not only found interviews, but a chaotic menagerie of people across the political spectrum sprawled over the park, all fighting for their cause to be heard. How do they co-exist with so many others nearby who disagree, or would they be surprised to find out that we all have more in common ideologically than not? These are the stories of the protesters at Union Park.
Many were at the park to protest the United States’ response to the ongoing conflict in Palestine. Among the pro-Palestine organizers, the majority were young people and college students looking to make a difference, historically mirroring the young anti-Vietnam protesters at the 1968 DNC. Protester Victoria Hinckley was among the crowd, who was expelled from the University of South Florida for being a pro-Palestine campus protest leader.
“It’s important for us to be a part of the struggle for Palestine. Especially students, because students [have] a historic place within anti-war movements, especially with the anti-Vietnam War protests. So many colleges and universities in the U.S. have investments in companies that support Israel. It’s our tuition directly funding the genocide that’s going on. It’s our responsibility to stand against that and demand divestment from our universities, demand an end to U.S. aid to Israel, and stand in solidarity with the people who are fighting for liberation in Palestine,” Hinckley said.
A few feet away, the Revolutionary Communists of America had set up a table, handing out pamphlets to passers-by. They weren’t at the park to protest but to spread awareness of their movement. A spokesperson for the organization, Mark Rahman, was stationed to field any questions.
“We’re here in distinction to many of the other groups. We’re not here to pressure the Democrats to the left, because we have no illusions in doing that. Our main thing is to find like-minded people, interested in helping us build what we’re building, which I would say is the foundation of what can be a mass revolutionary workers’ party in the future,” Rahman said.
The communists cautioned against venturing to the right side of the park, both figuratively and literally. A small group of right-wing protesters had set up to counter the left-wing protesters, taking to megaphones to try and silence the pro-Palestine organizers and spread their pro-America beliefs. Republican protester Dennis White was vocal about his values at the park.
“We’re over here supporting our constitutional right. And to let Hamas, let the protesters know that it’s [protesting] more than trying to do anything destructive in this city right here,” White said.
After interviewing many sides of the political spectrum, there may be some ideological overlap. Despite being on separate sides of the park, right-wing protester Andre Woyze noticed that many attendees held similar humanitarian views no matter what party. He believes respect goes both ways.
“If they’re [pro-Palestine] going to protest, protest with purpose. If they were actually for what they say, and I shook [hands] with the ones who were, the ones who were like, ‘I’m for the revolution,’ I’ll shake your hand because at least you know what you’re fighting for. The communists over there at the table, I’ll say, yeah, the economic views may line up. I want housing to be affordable, I want healthcare to be affordable. But at the end of the day, somebody has to pay through their blood or their dollar. What you have to do is unify the nation and its people. And then you can provide them with great means,” Republican Andre Woyze said.
Despite attending for different purposes, everyone at Union Park was able to freely express their views. The park fostered a place for public debate, protest, and a market of ideas. People were divided in cause, but brought together, united in dissent.
