On Day 2 of DNC, several arrested at pro-Palestinian protest outside Israeli Consulate
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The second night of the Democratic National Convention was also set to be the second night of protests in Chicago on Tuesday.
The group Behind Enemy Lines began a protest Tuesday evening. outside the Israeli Consulate, located in the Accenture Tower at 500 W. Madison St. in the West Loop—1.75 miles due east of the United Center where the convention is under way. Several people were arrested as the protesters clashed with police, and the protesters also set American flags on fire.
The number of pro-Palestinian protesters in front of the Accenture Tower grew rapidly shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday. By 7:15 p.m., there were about 200 demonstrators, with the number expected to grow further. A Behind Enemy Lines representative was on a megaphone speaking to supporters.
While many in the group wanted to be disruptive to traffic and antagonize police, others wanted to get their message out.
"We're just here to support, obviously, the protest against the genocide in Gaza," said Jared Houston, a protester from Seattle. "We're here calling for an end to all U.S. aid to Israel."
Around 7:30 p.m. as the protest grew more heated, protesters came face-to-face with officers, telling them, "Move! Move!" The officers in riot helmets did not move.
Police also took away the wooden poles to which the protesters had attached flags and signs, in case they might be used as weapons.
Shortly afterward, police began making some arrests that were seen on camera. At least three people were seen getting arrested during the protest. It was not immediately clear what the men did.
The group took over Clinton Street at the intersection with Madison Street. The group was trying to head south on Clinton Street, but police prevented the movement.
This situation was quelled, with officers taking back over the intersection of Clinton and Madison streets. But around 7:45 p.m., protesters lit what appeared to be a bundle of American flags on fire after dousing them in some kind of accelerant.
A crowd gathered around the fire.
Former Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said police would not address flags being set afire unless it posed a danger to people. Doing otherwise would amount to an escalation, Johnson explained.
Flag burning is protected under the First Amendment.
A pro-Israeli counterprotest was also planned, and went ahead later as the pro-Palestinian group remained out in force. Pro-Israel counterprotesters arrived in greater numbers near Madison and Canal streets just before 8 p.m. They were separated from the pro-Palestinian protesters by a human wall of police officers.
Some protesters on the pro-Palestinian said tried to push through the police phalanx, but were not allowed to do so.
The protest later began to disperse. Protesters tried to get all the way to the area of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse at Dearborn and Adams streets—on the other side of the Chicago River's South Branch—but they did not make it that far.
Protesters ended up at the intersection of Canal and Monroe streets a short distance from the Accenture Tower. Several people were also arrested there and were seen on video seated in the street in police custody.
As documented in photos, at least one person arrested Tuesday night had a media ID.
CBS News Chicago Political Analyst and former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said police handled potentially chaotic well.
Lightfoot said people have every right to express their First Amendment rights—and even stand by side in disagreement—as long as the situation does not become violent.
Violence against people, vandalism or destruction of property, or people throwing things at officers—as was seen in the unrest in Chicago following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020—are grounds for police to step in more aggressively, Lightfoot said.
Despite the arrests and brief clashes, there were no reports of injuries or destruction of property in the protest Tuesday night—-which Chicago Police would consider a win.
Late Tuesday, the Israeli Consulate put out a statement calling the pro-Palestinian protest violent:
"We are appalled to see violence during the protest in front of our offices. This is anything but peaceful and completely contradictory to the spirit of the DNC. This vocal minority does not represent the vast bipartisan majority of Americans who stand strong in support of Israel.
"It was incredibly heartwarming to see many Americans countering this hate in front of our office, echoing the strong bond between America and Israel.
"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.
"Lastly, we are grateful to all the law enforcement officers who are out protecting the city during the DNC. We applaud their self-sacrifice and countless hours of work to ensure the safety of all Chicagoans."
Metra plans for protest ahead of time
Metra announced Tuesday afternoon that the entrance to the Ogilvie Transportation Center from the Accenture Tower will be closed for the evening due to the planned protest.
Commuters on the Union Pacific lines should enter through the French Market doors a block north on Clinton Street, Metra said.
Businesses nearby also closed early due to "unforeseen circumstances."
Protest group Behind Enemy Lines evokes 1968 DNC
Their Behind Enemy Lines protest flyers reference the chaos outside the Democratic National Convention of 1968, reading: "Make it great like '68! Shut down the DNC for Gaza."
On its website, Behind the Enemy Lines says it stands for anti-imperialism and against the "U.S. empire"—and engages in "anti-imperialist agitation." The group accuses Vice President Kamala Harris of being "complicit in genocide" of Palestinians in Gaza.
"Our responsibility to the people of the world is to actually confront this convention, and yes, take risks to do so," the group wrote.
Behind Enemy Lines was behind a protest rally back in March in which an American flag was burned by a Marine veteran outside City Hall. Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) spoke at the rally a few feet from the burned flag—and while he said he did not see the remains of the flag on the ground when he spoke at the rally, his participation still resulted in calls for him to lose his seat as chairman of the City Council Housing Committee.
The City Council blocked the move, and Sigcho-Lopez kept his leadership position.