A night of intense protests outside the Israeli Consulate in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention saw multiple confrontations between demonstrators and police, leading to the arrest of at least 72 people. The protest, which began peacefully, quickly escalated as demonstrators clashed with officers who had formed a barricade to prevent them from marching.
The protesters, many wearing black and covering their faces, gathered to voice opposition to U.S. support for Israel, chanting slogans such as “Intifada revolution” and “Burn it down.” As tensions rose, a few demonstrators set fire to an American flag.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling defended the police response, which included officers in riot gear and the use of “kettling,” a controversial tactic that involves corralling protesters into a confined area. Snelling claimed that the demonstrators “showed up here to commit acts of violence” and praised the restraint shown by his officers, stating, “They wanted chaos.”
BREAKING: Heavy clashes, mass arrests as Protesters against DNC push against Chicago Police line outside Israeli Consulate pic.twitter.com/pixV0eKYTp
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) August 21, 2024
However, the National Lawyers Guild, which had legal observers at the scene, criticized the police’s handling of the situation. “The repressive police response to a Palestine solidarity protest at the Israeli Consulate seemed preplanned and designed to stifle free expression during the Democratic National Convention,” said Ben Meyer of the Guild.
The protests have sparked significant concern within Chicago’s Jewish community, particularly due to the use of rhetoric that some view as incitement to violence. As the convention continues, tensions remain high, with more protests expected in the coming days.
