Protesters downtown Chicago after Netanyahu addresses Congress; IL lawmakers boycott speech

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two protests are ongoing Wednesday downtown Chicago after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before Congress.

"I'm really horrified that the United States government sees him as a partner in this, and then his visit is something to celebrate," said protester Cathleen Gutekanst.

At least two groups started at Federal Plaza in Chicago's Loop. Some are pro-Israel and others are pro-Palestinians, but all say they're pro-peace.

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That's also the message from local lawmakers, who decided not to attend Netanyahu's address as they continue to demand a cease-fire.

U.S. leaders invited the Israeli prime minister to speak on the state of the Israel-Hamas war, but the invitation came at the displeasure of many lawmakers. More than 50 decided to boycott.

"We have to stop giving a platform to a war criminal, who has no intention of getting us to peace. This is not about being pro-Israel or pro-Palestine; this is about pro-peace," said Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago. "He should not be here. He should not have been invited. He should not have accepted. What he should be doing, and what we should be doing, is asking that he spend every breathing moment getting us to a permanent cease-fire."

Ramirez was one of four Illinois lawmakers, who did not attend the address.

Sen. Dick Durbin chose not to go, as his office said he instead spent time with families of the American hostages being held by Hamas. Sen. Tammy Duckworth also did not attend.

Illinois 9th District Rep. Jan Shakowsky was also on that list, calling Netanyahu a danger to the world.

"He does not need this war to end because, as long as it continues, and as long as he is in power, he is happy," Schakowsky said. "I am a proud Jewish woman, and I have had long connection to the state of Israel. And, frankly that is why I'm not going. Two-thirds of Israelis want to see him gone; I'm really disappointed he's been invited to speak."

U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider attended the address.

He said in part in a statement, "In my few moments with the Prime Minister before his speech, I reiterated on behalf of the hostage families that we cannot forget the more than 120 people still in Gaza after 292 days, including eight Americans. A deal to free the hostages, stop the fighting and surge aid into Gaza is within reach. I am grateful for the Prime Minister's remarks honoring the hostages who have been freed and calling for the release of those who are remaining. The Prime Minister must now seal the deal and, at last, bring the hostages home."

Protesters called the lawmakers' boycott an empty gesture, after billions in aid to Israel were approved a few months ago by Congress.

The Israeli Consulate of the Midwest responded to Wednesday's address in a statement, saying, "The American Capitol is the people's house, and today we saw - once again - that the American people stand strong with Israel at this difficult time."

Meanwhile, protests have gone on for months since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Some have resulted in arrests across Chicago.

With more taking place Wednesday, locally and in Washington, D.C., protesters say they'll continue to demand a sustainable cease-fire.

"We will keep fighting until we get that; we're gonna take it to the doorsteps of the DNC in a couple weeks here in Chicago. We're gonna continue to raise that message," said Muhammad Sankari, an organizer with the U.S. Palestinian Community Network-Chicago.

Protesters say Netanyahu should not have been given such a platform Wednesday at such a tenuous moment.

They said the invitation to speak shows the U.S. government is not serious about achieving a cease-fire in the region.

"The killing, and the starvation, and the maiming and the destruction has not ended, and it's not only Palestinians who have recognized what's happening. The international community, frankly, has recognized what's happening," Sankari said.

The protests downtown started moving through the streets about 6 p.m. At least one person was arrested, but it was not immediately clear why. Police said charges are pending.

In D.C., thousands of protesters made their presence known amid tight security.

At one point, police used pepper spray and a flash-bang device.

During his speech Wednesday afternoon, Netanyahu defended the war in Gaza and denounced protesters.

He also called for stronger action against Iran, which supports militant groups fight Israel.

Protest organizers say, even with a change to the Democratic presidential ticket, plans continue for large scale demonstrations at the upcoming Democratic National Convention.