Portrait of a protester: Outside the Democratic convention, a young man talks of passion and plans
Chicago has a longstanding tradition of protest — and college student YM Masood has been immersed in it in recent months, including at the Democratic National Convention
By MARTHA IRVINE
Published - Aug 24, 2024, 12:10 AM ET
Last Updated - Aug 24, 2024, 12:10 AM EDT
CHICAGO (AP) — Bearded and bespectacled, YM Masood has a quiet nature that suggests he's older than age 20. A political science major, he plans to graduate from college in December, well ahead of schedule. He’s studying for the LSAT, the entrance exam for law school.
He has another frequent role as well: protester.
Masood, a student at the University of Illinois Chicago, has taken to the city's streets in recent months for pro-Palestinian rallies, often weekly and — once — twice in the same day.
“Palestine is definitely No. 1 right now,” Masood says. Last spring, he also traveled by train to support pro-Palestinian encampments at the University of Chicago and Northwestern and DePaul universities.
