Protesters paused to reconsider opposing Harris at the DNC. They decided on full steam ahead.

CHICAGO — There was a moment after Vice President Kamala Harris was tapped to run for president, when pro-Palestinian activists prepping massive demonstrations at the Democratic National Convention paused to rethink their approach.

The main organization corralling more than 200 groups to protest at the convention, March on the DNC 2024, met for about half an hour the day Harris announced her candidacy. The meeting was to consider whether to move forward with the same confrontational approach they had aimed at President Joe Biden, who they dubbed “Genocide Joe” for his policies on Israel.

Harris, despite being part of the Biden administration, was seen by some as being more sympathetic to the pro-Palestinian cause and made a forceful case for a cease-fire deal after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netantyahu .

“We all came to a consensus that it's not going to make a difference, that [Harris] represents this administration,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network. "We're going to stay full steam ahead."

And he noted, his organization referred to Harris as “Killer Kamala” even before she topped the ticket and continues to push for harsher restrictions on the Israeli government, like an arms embargo — something that a top Harris adviser has said she doesn't support.

There are at least six major protests planned on the streets of Chicago during the Democratic National Convention. The biggest is planned for the first day, Monday, when “tens of thousands” are expected to march just blocks from the United Center, where Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will give their acceptance speeches.

The “family-friendly march” is organized under a pro-Palestinian umbrella coalition that includes groups devoted to a variety of causes. Organizers are busing in protesters from Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana and Wisconsin, and activists are also coming in from New York and California, too.

The switch-up at the top of the Democratic ticket prompted a conversation in the pro-Palestinian movement about its tactics. The Democratic National Convention in Chicago was widely perceived to be its biggest stage upon which to argue that the U.S. should change its policies toward Israel. But Harris, who called for a cease-fire earlier than some others in the party, made some activists wonder about taking a softer approach with the new Democratic nominee.

“There is admittedly a change of tone and for many, a sense of a breath of fresh air,” said Linda Loew, an organizer for Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws coalition, which has more than 40 organizations endorsing a march in Chicago on Sunday ahead of the convention. But “rhetoric and promises are simply not enough. We certainly are glad and welcome the support of any and all Democrats who say that they're for any of these issues, but we need to see action.”

But for the activists organizing for the convention, any hesitation about whether to be disruptive diminished soon after Harris confronted protesters at a rally in Michigan on her battleground state tour with her new vice presidential nominee.

“Everyone’s voice matters, but I am speaking now. I am speaking now,” she said to pro-Palestinian demonstrators who interrupted her address.

The interaction is fueling the pro-Palestinian protesters as they gear up for the convention.

“After she yelled at protesters, the blush started to come off the rose,” said Joe Iosbaker, a protest organizer and a member of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression. The group has been behind 48 protests in Chicago, nearly one every week, since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that erupted in the war in Gaza.

Now pro-Palestinian protesters are planning to come out in full force this week in Chicago.

“Don’t fall for the wolf in sheep's clothing,” said Andy Thayer, who is a longtime progressive organizer and a leader of a protest scheduled for Sunday. “Harris has made it clear that she is standing behind Israel 100 percent and is not going to stop the flow of arms to Israel.”

The Harris team acknowledged the protests will go on as planned and reiterated her position on the Israel-Hamas war.

“The vice president believes making your voice heard and participating in our democracy is fundamental to who we are as Americans," Harris campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt told POLITICO. "Vice President Harris supports the deals currently on the table for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of hostages.”

Harris may also face sporadic protests inside the arena where she will make her televised acceptance speech on Thursday. About 30 delegates who represent the "uncommitted" vote in the primary which activists used as a means of protesting Biden's policies on Israel will attend.

Convention organizers have said they will respect voices speaking out at the convention and are prepared for disruptions inside the arena, though delegates who wave their own signs might be asked to lower them. They emphasized that protesters make up a small portion of the nearly 5,000 credentialed delegates.

“Thousands of Democrats from all across the country are showing up here in Chicago to rally behind the Harris-Walz nomination because they believe in the vision of hope and progress this ticket represents,” said convention spokesperson Emily Soong. “We support law enforcement's efforts to protect the right to peaceful protest while not allowing any violence.”

Outside of the arena, veteran protesters and police both say they’re ready for anything. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, who led police training ahead of the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago, said he’s confident that convention demonstrations will be held in check.

Handling the NATO protest “was successful,” he said, “but we’re also looking at where we could have done things better. We’ve improved upon some things. We’ve given our people training that they need.”