Numerous protesters were arrested after clashing with police near the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Tuesday, according to media reports.
Most of the arrests occurred toward the end of the night after protesters had tense confrontations with police officers throughout the demonstration, The Associated Press reported. The news wire also noted that law enforcement officers pinned the remaining pro-Palestinian protesters in a plaza and prevented them from leaving.
Police Superintendent Larry Snelling later denied that the officers “kettled” protesters in comments made to reporters late Tuesday night, per the AP. He did not say how many protesters were arrested.
“We have people who showed up here to commit acts of violence,” Snelling told reporters. “They wanted chaos.”
The National Lawyers Guild of Chicago said that more than 70 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested Tuesday and that the organization’s attorneys were at the police station ready to meet with those in custody.
Behind Enemy Lines, an organization that helped orchestrate the protest, said on Instagram that dozens of people were arrested outside the Israeli consulate in the Windy City. NBC News reported that the protest outside the consulate began at 7 p.m. local time, and that the building was barricaded and surrounded by police officers on bikes.
The group of protesters then walked down the street and approached officers who were wearing riot gear, according to NBC News. The outlet added that some protesters clashed with the officers and multiple people were arrested.
The Israeli consulate said it was “appalled” to see violence occur during the protests outside its building on Tuesday.
“We are beyond disappointed with the ongoing support the Mayor has been giving to the anti-Israel protests in Chicago, particularly during the DNC, and his continued disregard for the large pro-Israel and Jewish community in the city,” the statement reads.
The demonstrations Tuesday came just a day after pro-Palestinian protesters breached the fencing along the convention’s outer perimeter. While there was some initial concern about large-scale protests ahead of the DNC that were slated to protest the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the demonstrations have been smaller than expected and mostly peaceful so far.
The Hill has reached out to the Chicago Police Department for comment on the arrests.
The Associated Press contributed.
