Chicago police arrested nearly 60 anti-Israel demonstrators on the second night of the Democratic National Convention after a protest outside the Israeli Consulate escalated into violence.
The protesters, many of whom were from out of state, clashed with police during an unauthorized march through city streets.
The protest began peacefully and turned chaotic as demonstrators, many with faces covered by keffiyeh scarves, ignored police orders to disperse. They chanted slogans such as “Down with American imperialism” and “Killer Kamala, what do you say? How many kids did you kill today?” As tensions escalated, the protesters burned flags and broke through police lines near the Israeli Consulate, shouting, “CPD, KKK, IOF, they’re all the same!”
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling addressed the incident at a press conference, emphasizing that the police acted in response to the violence. “Last night was a danger to our city and our citizens in this city,” Snelling said. “We were not the initiators of violence, but we responded to it. Our officers responded exactly how they were trained to respond.”
According to Snelling, those arrested face disorderly conduct, obstruction, and battery charges against police officers. He noted that 22 of the arrestees were from outside Chicago, many hailing from the West Coast. Among the demonstrators, one held a sign reading, “Make Israel pay all its war-murder costs now.”
The clashes resulted in minor injuries for two protesters, who were treated at a local hospital, and for two CPD officers, who refused medical attention to remain on duty.
Snelling praised the officers for their restraint, particularly the female officers who endured offensive and sexually explicit comments from some protesters. “The vicious, nasty, sexually explicit things said to those women were disgusting,” Snelling said, commending the officers for maintaining their professionalism under provocation.
While Snelling highlighted the violence of the anti-Israel protesters, he also praised the pro-Israel counter-demonstrators for their peaceful conduct and cooperation with police.
As the Democratic National Convention continues, Snelling reaffirmed the CPD’s commitment to protecting the city. “We will not allow people to come to this city, disrespect it, and destroy it,” he said. “The CPD is prepared, ready, willing, and able to defend this city.”
