CHICAGO -- At least 55 protesters were arrested following violent clashes with police in Chicago on the second night of the Democratic National Convention, a situation the police chief called 鈥渁 danger to our city.鈥�
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said Wednesday that those arrested outside the Israeli Consulate, about two miles (3.2 kilometres) from the United Center where Democrats were meeting, 鈥渟howed up with the intention of committing acts of violence, vandalism.鈥�
鈥淎s the Chicago Police Department, we did everything that we could to de-escalate that situation," Snelling said during a news conference. "But there鈥檚 only so much de-escalation that you can attempt before it becomes excessive repetition.鈥�
The intense confrontations between pro-Palestinian protesters and officers began minutes into the demonstration, after some protesters 鈥� many dressed in black, their faces covered 鈥� charged at a line of police who had blocked their march. They eventually moved past the officers but were penned in several times throughout the night by police in riot gear who did not allow protesters to disperse.
Snelling said protesters showed up to "fight with the police"."
鈥淲e were not the initiators of violence, but we responded to it," Snelling said.
Snelling said that between 55 and 60 people were arrested. Two people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, one for knee pain and one with a finger injury, Snelling said. Two officers were injured but they refused medical attention because they did not want to leave fellow officers, Snelling said. He said three journalists were among those arrested, but he did not have details on charges.
鈥淟ast night was a danger to our city and a danger to our citizens in this city, our residents鈥� property. And CPD has to protect that,鈥� Snelling said.
The Israeli Consulate has been the site of numerous demonstrations since the war in Gaza began in October, and protests during the DNC have largely focused on opposing the Israel-Hamas war..
The group behind the protest Tuesday night is not affiliated with a coalition of more than 200 groups that has organized permitted rallies and marches 鈥� one that took place Monday and two more expected Wednesday and Thursday. Another rally, organized by the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, a Palestinian and Arab community-based organization, is planned for Wednesday afternoon near the United Center.
On Tuesday night, organizers rallied demonstrators under the slogan 鈥淢ake it great like 鈥�68,鈥� invoking the anti-Vietnam War protests that seized the city during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
鈥淭hat was what they brought here to Chicago,鈥� Snelling said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 2024. And the Chicago Police Department proved that. So let鈥檚 get off of 1968. Let鈥檚 stop talking about 1968. This is 2024."
A large portion of the arrests happened at the end of the night, as police pinned demonstrators in a plaza and blocked them from leaving. Snelling denied that police had 鈥渒ettled鈥� protesters, a tactic that involves corralling people in a confined area, which is banned under a federal consent decree.
Snelling, who has been present at all major demonstrations so far during the convention, praised his officers. He said some female police officers were subjected to 鈥渧icious, nasty, sexually explicit鈥� comments but that they "stood their ground and they did what they had to do.鈥�
"I could not be more proud of the work that the men and women of this department are doing right now to keep this city safe,鈥� he said.
Snelling rejected criticism that the police response was overwhelming.
鈥淲e wanted to overwhelm them,鈥� Snelling said. 鈥淲e wanted to overwhelm those people who decided to come to our city and destroy it. Now, overwhelming doesn鈥檛 mean that we were excessive. The response was proportionate.鈥�
The largest protest so far, which attracted about 3,500 people on Monday, was largely peaceful and resulted in 13 arrests, most related to a breach of security fencing. Two were arrested Sunday night during another mostly peaceful march.
Also on Wednesday, a man who escaped from a Mississippi courthouse and is wanted on murder and armed robbery charges was taken into custody following a standoff with police at a restaurant about half a mile from the United Center. There was no indication that he had any connection to the convention.
