Richard Soriano
In Chicago, anti-Israel protests continued for a third consecutive night amid the ongoing Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center. Demonstrators, prominently displaying keffiyehs, grew in number compared to earlier days.
They marched down Maypole Avenue, carrying a large banner reading “Biden, Harris You Will See! Palestine Will Be Free!” and chanting slogans like “End U.S. Aid to Israel” and “Stop Genocide.”
A prominent figure in the march used a megaphone to accuse the DNC of being complicit in the conflict, rallying the crowd with the chant, “DNC your hands are red!” The atmosphere, while described as peaceful, was very lively and involved multiple bullhorns spanning several city blocks, indicating the scale and intensity of the demonstration.
As the evening progressed, police directed the protesters to return to Union Park, where the march had initially started. Law enforcement was well-prepared, using bike units and riot police to manage the route. Despite the organized approach, the crowd began to disperse toward sunset, although some demonstrators remained.
The protests were taking place not far from the United Center, where notable figures such as former President Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg were scheduled to speak. The proximity of the protests to the DNC underscored the tension between the events.
On the previous day, confrontations between protesters and police led to 56 arrests. The clashes occurred outside the Israeli Consulate, about two miles from the DNC venue. Charges included one felony for resisting an officer and multiple misdemeanors such as disorderly conduct and battery. Additionally, 30 individuals received citations for disorderly conduct.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings