Chicago police arrested dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters on Tuesday, Aug. 20, after violent clashes with police officers outside the Israeli Consulate during the second night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). The mass arrests are the largest since the DNC got underway on Monday.
Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling called the protests “a danger to our city.”
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Protesters, reportedly dressed in black, charged police blocking the march and eventually got past the line of officers in riot gear. Officers reportedly “penned” in some protesters, which prevented the crowd from dispersing.
“We had a group that showed up with intent on committing acts of violence and vandalism,” Snelling said. “As a Chicago Police Department, we did everything we could to deescalate the situation but there’s only so much de-escalation that you can attempt before it become excessive repetition.”
Organizers rallied activists under the slogan “Make it great like ’68,” which is a reference to the 1968 Democratic Convention marred by violence during protests against the Vietnam War.
“Make it great like ’68,” Snelling said. “That was what they brought to Chicago. It’s 2024, and the Chicago Police Department proved that. So, let’s get off of the 1968. Let’s stop talking about 1968. It’s 2024.”
Two officers were hurt but not seriously and continued responding to the protests. Snelling also said that three journalists were among the people arrested outside the consulate. However, he did not provide further details about the arrests.
Snelling denied criticism that the police response was too much. He also called the response “proportionate” to the threat.
The demonstrators at Tuesday’s rally were not part of the 200-plus groups that have organized permitted demonstrations.
The largest pro-Palestinian protest occurred on Monday, during the first day of the DNC. Around 3,500 demonstrators showed up to the rally, and while it was largely peaceful, 13 people were arrested for trying to breach a security barrier at the convention.
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