Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police outside the Israeli consulate on the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The standoff involved hundreds of officers and protesters, with tensions running high as demonstrators chanted and police attempted to maintain order.
The protesters, chanting “Let them go!”, were met with police carrying wooden clubs who shouted “move” and penned the demonstrators in on the street, preventing them from marching. At least four people were handcuffed and led away by police during the demonstration, which took place as the celebratory roll call for Vice President Kamala Harris was happening inside the United Center, about two miles away.
Some protesters set an American flag on fire in the street, while others carried Palestinian flags and many wore black clothing, covering their faces. The scene outside the consulate was intense, with emotions running high on both sides of the conflict.
The previous night’s demonstrations had been largely quiet, with only thirteen people arrested during Monday’s protests. Most of the arrests were related to a “brief breach” of security fencing near the United Center, according to the city’s police superintendent.
The Israeli consulate has been a focal point for protests since the conflict in Gaza began in October. Located in a building connected to the Ogilvie Transportation Center, a major commuter rail station, the consulate has been the site of numerous demonstrations from both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups.
Earlier in the day, Israel supporters, including relatives of people kidnapped by Hamas, gathered at a pro-Israel art installation near the consulate. The installation featured giant milk cartons bearing photos of some of the hostages, as a call for US leaders to continue supporting Israel and working towards the release of hostages.
Elan Carr, chief executive of the Israeli-American Council, condemned the pro-Palestinian protesters as “fringe crazies” and called on US leaders to stand with Israel unequivocally. More protests are planned throughout the week, with tensions expected to remain high between the two sides.
During the clashes with police, some protesters used pepper spray and threw water bottles at officers. The police superintendent commended his officers for showing restraint and stated that vandalism and violence would not be tolerated in the city.
Overall, the majority of participants in the protests were peaceful, with only a small number engaging in violent behavior. The National Lawyers Guild reported that two people arrested were taken to the hospital, not for injuries but for medication needs.
The protests in Chicago have been organized by the Coalition to March on the DNC, with a focus on calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. While the larger demonstrations have been organized by this coalition, smaller protests have also popped up around the city, highlighting the ongoing tensions and conflicts surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.