Dozens Arrested as Pro-Palestinian, Anti-DNC Protesters Clash with Chicago Police Outside Israeli Consulate
In a disturbing turn of events, dozens of individuals were arrested after skirmishing with law enforcement officials during an unpermitted protest held outside the Israeli Consulate. The National Lawyers Guild Chicago has confirmed that at least 72 individuals were detained over the course of the protest, while Chicago Police report the number of arrested being 56, among them three journalists, for refusing to comply with multiple orders to disperse.
Charges and Detainees
Chicago Police reported that the charges included thirty counts of disorderly conduct – breach of peace, thirteen arrests related to failure to obey dispersal orders, one person failing to comply with police commands and three for resisting arrest. In addition, nine were charged with misdemeanors. Interestingly, twenty-two of those arrested are said to be from states other than Illinois, predominantly from the west coast.
Those arrested were taken to Area 3 police headquarters, where the individuals were gradually released during the course of Wednesday. By Wednesday afternoon, 13 of the arrested had already faced judicial authorities.
Protesters Break Police Line
In an unprecedented turn of events, approximately 200 protesters tried to forcefully break through a police bike line. In response, Chicago law enforcement donned riot gear to rein in the protesters. However, the protesters were undeterred, and continued attempts to engage with the police, who in turn utilized bike barricades to funnel the crowd away from the consulate.
One of those arrested described the scene as chaotic, saying, “They were pushing everyone opposite directions; so, everyone was just getting squeezed in together. There were press people; there were protesters. Everyone was getting basically attacked by the police. Police were shoving people over and just charging into them with their riot gear.”
The Burning Question
Protesting groups have been critical of the current government’s handling of the conflict in Gaza. They argued the need for an end to the violence rather than a continuation under new Democratic leadership. “We want an end to the genocide, not a new person leading the genocide,” one protester stated.
CPD’s Response and Remarks From City Officials
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling reported that the officers who were physically attacked responded in line with their training. “We were not the initiators of violence, but we responded to it. And our officers responded to it exactly the way they were trained to respond,” Snelling said.
While many praised the officers’ handling of what was declared an illegal protest, there was criticism regarding the number of officers that responded. “The cop-to-protester ratio was way off,” voiced one protester. In answer to this, Snelling said an overwhelming police presence was the aim. “We wanted to overwhelm those people who decided to come to our city and destroy it.”
Chicago Deputy Mayor Garien Gatewood lauded officers’ handling of the illegal protest. “We welcome protests; we welcome peaceful protests. Last night wasn’t that,” Gatewood expressed.
Despite the events of the night, it appears that most of those arrested were processed and released within the span of last night and this morning, without having to appear in front of a judge. However, some arrested individuals remain in custody, and it is unclear when they will be released.
