‘Evil people’ and ‘haters’: Chicagoans endure disruptions to combat convention threats

CHICAGO — Tens of thousands of visitors will pass by a 138-year-old brick church facing a parking lot for the United Center, home of this week’s Democratic National Convention. The church in Chicago’s Near West Side neighborhood pivoted to virtual services and meetings for its 67-person congregation while the convention and preparations took place, which members understood even though “everybody misses the fellowship in person,” McCray said. There are haters who seek to not only harm elected officials, or who would seek to distract from a Democratic National Convention by creating chaos and violence.” Community outreach efforts Following a community impact session hosted by the Chicago 2024 Democratic National Convention host committee in early August, the Secret Service got in touch with McCray about security protocols, but representatives of the host committee and Democratic National Committee have not, he said. The Democratic National Convention Joint Information Center confirmed to Raw Story that the Secret Service and its partners contacted Greater Union Baptist Church as a part of its outreach effort to about 1,300 people, including 500 business representatives, since July 25. The Secret Service, City of Chicago, Chicago Police Department, Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and the Chicago 2024 Host Committee created a community outreach program in the spring, which included door-to-door visits to residents and businesses around the United Center and the McCormick Place, the Democratic National Convention Joint Information Center told Raw Story.