On the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, at least 55 protesters were arrested after violent clashes with police, prompting the police chief to label the situation as a threat to the city. Superintendent Larry Snelling stated that the arrested individuals outside the Israeli Consulate had come with the intent of causing violence and vandalism. He emphasized that the police department had made efforts to de-escalate the situation, but there were limitations to their attempts.
The confrontations between pro-Palestinian protesters and law enforcement escalated quickly during the demonstration, with some protesters charging at a line of police officers who were attempting to block their march. Despite managing to move past the officers at times, the protesters were repeatedly contained by police in riot gear throughout the night. Snelling clarified that the protesters were the ones seeking confrontation with the police, leading to the arrests.
Several injuries were reported during the clashes, with two individuals being hospitalized for minor injuries while two officers sustained injuries but declined medical attention to stay with their colleagues. Among those arrested were three journalists, although details regarding the charges were not disclosed. The Israeli Consulate has been a focal point for demonstrations since the conflict in Gaza began, with many protests during the DNC centering around opposition to the Israel-Hamas war.
The group responsible for the protests on Tuesday night was not affiliated with the coalition organizing permitted rallies. However, demonstrations are set to continue, with another rally planned near the United Center. The protesters aimed to harken back to the anti-Vietnam War protests of 1968, but Snelling emphasized that the policing tactics employed were appropriate for the current situation in 2024.
Addressing criticism of the police response, Snelling defended the actions taken as necessary to protect the city from acts of destruction. While acknowledging the overwhelming show of force, he maintained that it was proportionate to the circumstances. Despite these incidents, the majority of protests during the convention have been peaceful, with a large demonstration on Monday resulting in a few arrests primarily due to breaches of security fencing. Separately, a man wanted on serious charges was apprehended after a standoff with police near the United Center, unrelated to the convention.
