Dozens arrested after pro-Palestinian, anti-DNC protesters clash with CPD
Union Park rally expected to march toward United Center
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Dozens of people were arrested after clashing with police at an un-permitted protest outside the Israeli Consulate Tuesday night.
The National Lawyers Guild Chicago said at least 72 people were arrested during that protest, while Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said 56 people, including three journalists, were arrested, after refusing to follow multiple dispersal orders.
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Thirty were cited for disorderly conduct - breach of peace, 13 were cited for disorderly conduct - failing to obey a lawful order to disperse, one person was cited for disorderly conduct - failing to obey police and three were cited for resisting police, Chicago police said.
Nine others were charged with misdemeanors.
Twenty two of those arrested are from out of town. Many are from the west coast, according to CPD.
They were brought to Area 3 headquarters, where police have slowly been releasing those arrested one by one Wednesday.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 13 had faced a judge.
An un-permitted protest turned into a clash with police Tuesday night outside the Israeli Consulate in Accenture Tower.
A crowd of about 200 protesters attempted to break through a police bike line. Hundreds of Chicago police officers with riot gear, face shields and batons held the line and boxed the group in.
Protesters again tried to engage with police, but were instead funneled through the downtown area by bike blockades.
"There were cops lined up on either side," one protester among those arrested said. "They were pushing everyone opposite directions; so, everyone was just getting squeezed in together. There were press people; there were protesters. Everyone was getting basically attacked by the police. Police were shoving people over and just charging into them with their riot gear."
The protester was released early Wednesday morning with an upcoming court date.
"That was the first time I've ever been arrested or behind bars, but, at the end of the day, I think the cause is worth it," she said.
She said she and her fellow protesters are critical of the current administration's handling of the war in Gaza, and want Democratic leaders over at the Democratic National Convention to hear their concerns.
"We want an end to the genocide, not a new person leading the genocide," she said.
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Snelling said during a fiery news conference Wednesday morning that Chicago "officers were physically confronted and attacked."
At least three flags were burned, as well.
"We were not the initiators of violence, but we responded to it. And our officers responded to it exactly the way their were trained to respond," Snelling said.
While Snelling expressed pride in the way Chicago officers responded to what he described as purposeful efforts to prompt a violent response, one of those arrested and held overnight criticized the number of officers that responded.
"I don't know if they outnumbered the protesters, but it was a lot. The cop-to-protester ratio was way off," the protester said.
Snelling said overwhelming those present was exactly their aim.
"Overwhelming doesn't meant that we were excessive. The response was proportionate," he said. "We wanted to overwhelm them. We wanted to overwhelm those people who decided to come to our city and destroy it."
Two people arrested were taken to hospitals for minor injuries, and two injured officers were not taken to hospitals.
City officials praised officers' handling of the illegal protest.
Chicago Deputy Mayor Garien Gatewood called the rally a danger to the city and its residents, and said those arrested were specifically looking to cause harm and havoc.
"We welcome protests; we welcome peaceful protests. Last night wasn't that," Gatewood said.
It's not clear how many of those arrested Tuesday night remain in custody.
Attorneys hired to represent protesters said most were simply processed and released Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, without having to go in front of a judge.
On Monday night, a group of protesters breached a fence on the outer perimeter of the DNC.
Thirteen people were arrested in that incident.
"Look, I know everyone wants to believe that we can deescalate every single situation, and we can walk away. And everybody is going to be fine. There are those people who are out there right now. It's a non starter for them. They don't want to talk; they don't want to negotiate. They don't want to cooperate. They want what they want, and that's it," Snelling said.
