This year, the 2024 Republican and Democratic National Conventions are both set to take place in the Midwest: the RNC in July in Milwaukee, WI, and the DNC in August in Chicago, IL. Our local NLG chapters are stepping up to organize legal support for anticipated protests at these two National Special Security Events, with a powerful coalition between our members in the Midwest Region and chapters in Chicago, IL; Madison, WI; and Milwaukee, WI.
But they need your help! You can support their efforts by donating to our NLG Chicago Chapter, the primary organizing body for Midwest legal support for these two events. Our NLG members are committed to supporting activists fighting back against the growing fascist agenda, which we have seen materialize domestically in the many planned Cop Cities and internationally with the U.S. government’s continual complicity in genocide.
The NLG has provided legal assistance for RNC/DNC protests for decades. The 2024 Convention season comes in the wake of an unprecedented global uprising for Palestine, including the ongoing repression of pro-Palestinian activism taking place on university campuses across the country.
Our members are preparing mass defense infrastructures, including Legal Observers, jail support, arrest hotlines, and on-call defense attorneys in case of likely mass arrests and police violence.
- NLG Legal Observers monitor protests and document police misconduct at the request of local organizers.
- Jail support volunteers track arrestees through the criminal legal system, and support solidarity efforts for protesters being held in police custody.
- The NLG also helps connect volunteer criminal and civil movement lawyers with defendants to provide legal representation for cases arising out of protests.
As designated National Special Security Events, the RNC and DNC usually include intensive security and have in the past attempted to limit the constitutional rights of protesters.
“We expect several protests against President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party, which have fueled the genocide in Palestine,” states a Chicago NLG member. “We will offer on-the-ground support to all the courageous protesters.”
“After Kenosha, we are extremely familiar with white supremacist, right-wing violence, and the RNC will bring these same people to our town,” recounts a Milwaukee NLG member. “This year, we will work across the Midwest to support activists standing up against fascism at both National Conventions.”
