Chicago Pro-Palestinian DNC Protests Lead to Clashes and Arrests

The situation escalated quickly as some protesters, dressed in black with their faces covered, attempted to break through a police blockade. Police officers, equipped with riot gear, managed to contain the demonstrators several times throughout the night, but tensions remained high as the protesters continued to push forward.

According to the Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, which had legal observers on the scene, at least 72 people were arrested during the protests. A significant number of these arrests occurred late in the evening when police surrounded the remaining demonstrators in a plaza, preventing them from leaving the area. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling denied that officers used the controversial “kettling” tactic, which involves trapping protesters in a confined space—a practice banned under a federal consent decree.

Superintendent Snelling, who has been present at significant demonstrations during the convention, commended the officers for their handling of the situation, asserting that the police response was appropriate given the circumstances. “We had individuals show up here with the intent to commit acts of violence,” Snelling stated. He also mentioned that the protesters walked directly into police officers but did not provide a specific number of arrests, citing the need to confirm final details.

Earlier in the evening, some protesters set an American flag on fire in the street. At the same time, the Democratic roll call for Vice President Kamala Harris took place just two miles away at the United Center. The protest intensified when demonstrators, regrouping near a Chicago skyscraper housing the Israeli consulate, were ordered by police to disperse. However, protesters remained defiant, with one woman shouting, “We’re not scared of you,” as the crowd continued challenging the police presence.

The group behind the Tuesday protest was distinct from the coalition of over 200 organizations that had organized a more significant, peaceful march on Monday. The Tuesday protest was promoted under the slogan “Make it great like ’68,” referencing the anti-Vietnam War protests during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Tuesday’s unrest contrasted sharply with Monday’s demonstrations, which saw thousands of pro-Palestinian activists, including families with children, march near the convention site, calling for a ceasefire. Law enforcement had closed off several streets, confining the protesters to a single block and shutting down most building entrances, leaving only one guarded by armed officers.

The Israeli consulate, located in a building connected to the Ogilvie Transportation Center, has been a focal point for protests since the conflict in Gaza escalated in October. The building saw heightened security measures, with nearby shops closing early and commuters funneling through a single entrance.

Among the protesters was Mohammed Ismail, a 29-year-old Chicago resident, who criticized the police response as excessive. He questioned why the group was blocked from marching and expressed his opposition to U.S. financial support for Israel. “It’s not right that we’re sending our tax money to fund an ongoing slaughter, an ongoing genocide,” Ismail said, arguing that U.S. taxpayers are indirectly involved in the conflict.

Earlier in the day, supporters of Israel, including relatives of those kidnapped by Hamas, gathered at a pro-Israel art installation near the consulate, urging U.S. leaders to maintain their support for Israel. The installation featured large milk cartons displaying photos of hostages, and Elan Carr, CEO of the Israeli-American Council, condemned the pro-Palestinian demonstrators as “fringe crazies” while calling for unwavering support for Israel from U.S. leadership.

Despite plans for further protests throughout the week, the turnout for Monday’s main rally fell short of organizers’ expectations, with around 3,500 attendees, far fewer than the anticipated 20,000. Superintendent Snelling noted that most of Monday’s protesters were peaceful, contrasting with the more aggressive demonstrations on Tuesday night.

Story Published on August 21, 2024 at 01:20 PM EDT | Photo Credit: AP