Diverse groups of pro-Palestinian demonstrators in the United States faced off against police in a tense confrontation outside the Israeli consulate in Chicago during the second night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). The protests took place on Tuesday evening, where demonstrators chanted “Let them go!” as police arrested at least four people.
Police officers armed with batons ordered the demonstrators to move and corralled them onto the street to prevent them from marching. Some protesters set an American flag on fire while the roll call for Vice President Kamala Harris occurred inside the United Center, located just 3.2 kilometers away. A number of demonstrators carried Palestinian flags, while others wore black clothing and covered their faces.
The confrontation intensified as protesters approached a line of police officers in riot gear outside a skyscraper housing the Israeli consulate. One officer shouted through a megaphone: “You are ordered to leave the area immediately.” A woman at the front responded with her own megaphone: “We are not afraid of you.”
A man wearing a Chicago Bulls cap and covered by a balaclava urged demonstrators to “shut down the DNC.” This particular group of demonstrators was not organized by the previously mentioned coalition of over 200 groups but was promoted under the slogan “Make it big like in ’68,” referencing the anti-Vietnam War protests that marked the city during the DNC in 1968.
The heavy police presence was described as “excessive” by Mohammed Ismail, a 29-year-old psychiatry resident residing in Chicago, who was participating in the protest to urge Democrats to stop funding Israel. “It’s not right that we send our taxpayer dollars to finance an ongoing massacre, an ongoing genocide,” said Ismail.
While protests from the previous night were large, the turnout for Monday’s rally appeared low compared to predictions of more than 20,000 attendees. Police Chief Larry Snelling stated that the crowd during Monday’s protest was approximately 3,500, most of whom remained peaceful, although some engaged in confrontations with the police.
Demonstrations around the Israeli consulate have been frequent since Israel’s war against Gaza began in October. Earlier the same day, Israeli supporters gathered at an art installation to urge American leaders to continue supporting Israel and to call for the release of hostages, including an installation featuring large milk cartons displaying images of some of the hostages.
More protests are scheduled throughout the week, as the Chicago police prepare to de-escalate situations where possible. “We are ready for the challenge,” said Chief Snelling. “The city is ready for the challenge.”