More than 2,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched on Wednesday toward the venue hosting the third night of the Democratic National Convention. The march followed a largely peaceful route past a park where earlier in the day, pro-Israel demonstrators had gathered.
The protest came a day after violent confrontations between police and protesters at an unsanctioned rally near the Israeli Consulate resulted in 56 arrests. Wednesday’s demonstration was organized by the Chicago area’s large Palestinian community, with buses bringing participants from suburban mosques.
Raed Shuk, 48, attended with his children, including his 2-year-old son, who sat on his shoulders. Shuk, whose parents are Palestinian, emphasized the importance of teaching his children to stand up for their rights through peaceful protests.
The march, one of the week’s largest demonstrations, featured a festive atmosphere at times, with a drum line leading the way and a sea of Palestinian flags waving. Families with children enjoyed popsicles, and some pushed strollers or rode in wagons.
As they passed a park near the United Center, the crowd used megaphones and air horns to criticize elected leaders, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, for their stance on the Gaza conflict. Pritzker, who had been considered as a possible vice-presidential candidate, had opposed a ceasefire resolution passed in Chicago earlier this year.
During the march, tensions briefly escalated when officers apprehended a person on a platform at a new elevated train station near the United Center. In response, protesters pressed against the station’s glass, demanding the person’s release. The individual was eventually escorted out by police, not in handcuffs, prompting cheers from the crowd.
The protest attracted a diverse group of participants, including families and people of various faiths. Small groups of Muslims gathered in prayer using keffiyeh as mats, while rabbis led some of the marchers. A small group held a sign reading “Christians for Ceasefire.”
Rabbi Brant Rosen, a founder of the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council, criticized the Democratic National Convention for not addressing the Gaza conflict. “The word Palestine is not allowed inside the Democratic National Convention. The word ceasefire has barely been uttered,” Rosen said.
Earlier in the day, police had escorted pro-Israel demonstrators out of a park near the United Center as the area was secured ahead of the pro-Palestinian march.
The U.S. Palestinian Community Network, a community-based organization, organized the march. In contrast, Tuesday night’s protest at the Israeli Consulate, which was not affiliated with the larger coalition, resulted in an intense standoff with Chicago police.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling stated that the protesters arrested on Tuesday came with the intent to commit acts of violence and vandalism. Snelling described the police response as “proportionate.”
Most of those detained on Tuesday were issued citations for disorderly conduct, with others facing charges of resisting police, battery, assault, and criminal damage to property. Two people were hospitalized with minor injuries, and two officers sustained injuries but declined medical attention to remain on duty.
Hatem Abudayyeh, co-founder of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, emphasized that the police’s role is to protect the protesters’ First Amendment rights.
The Israeli Consulate has been the site of numerous protests since the Gaza conflict began in October, with most demonstrations during the Democratic National Convention focusing on opposing the Israel-Hamas war.
The largest protest, which drew around 3,500 participants on Monday, was mostly peaceful, resulting in 13 arrests. Another peaceful march on Sunday led to two arrests.
Separately, on Wednesday, a man wanted for murder and armed robbery in Mississippi was arrested following a standoff with police at a restaurant near the United Center. Authorities indicated that the incident was unrelated to the convention.