13 people arrested after pro-Palestinian protesters breach security fence Monday, police say

NEAR WEST SIDE — Chicago police made 13 arrests during Monday's pro-Palestine protest near the Democratic National Convention that called for an immediate end to U.S. aid to Israel.

The protesters, aged between 22 and 70, were largely arrested on suspicion of trespassing on state land, police said.

The arrests came on the sidelines of a pro-Palestinian rally Monday afternoon that saw protesters march near the United Center. During the demonstration, a small group broke away from the peaceful protest, breaking through a security perimeter near the United Center and pouring into a buffer zone between fence lines.

Riot police were called in to clear the area after buses carrying DNC delegates were delayed. Police then cleared Park 578, near where protesters broke through the security fence.

Two protesters are accused of resisting or obstructing a police officer and a 31-year-old man is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, police said in a statement.

All those arrested were released from custody Tuesday evening, according to the DNC's Joint Information Center.

Spokespeople for the National Lawyers Guild said in a statement Tuesday morning that they believe 14 people — two on Sunday and 12 on Monday — have been arrested in connection with protests outside the convention.

“The Chicago Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) condemns the Chicago Police Department’s aggressive and sometimes violent response to protesters,” the statement said. “The CPD’s response has included massive shows of force at several protests so far, with hundreds of officers lining march routes and surrounding protesters.”

But Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a news conference Tuesday morning that he “couldn't be more proud” of how police responded to Monday's protest.

The police chief disputed claims by the lawyers' guild that two protesters had been hospitalized for injuries caused by officers, saying they had only been taken to receive their usual medication.

“Our officers showed great restraint,” he said. “They could have used more force in yesterday's situations than they actually did… These are people who believe we shouldn't even exist.”

There were “minimal injuries” among riot police and other officers managing the crowd, but some were hit by pepper spray and other objects such as water bottles thrown by protesters, Snelling said.

On Tuesday morning, a third layer of fencing was added to the north of Park 578. Secret Service coordinator Jeff Burnside said repairs and “augmentations” were made to strengthen the security perimeter for the event, but did not specify what.

Snelling stressed that the vast majority of Monday's protesters continued peacefully along the city-approved route.

“I consider yesterday a success, considering how bad things could have gone in an instant,” Snelling said.

At the end of Monday's protest, some demonstrators attempted to set up a makeshift camp in Union Park, but the effort was abandoned after police cleared the park around 7 p.m.

Park 578 remained quiet Tuesday afternoon, except for a few unattended speeches and TV presenters doing stand-up comedy near the broken fence.

Dozens of police officers on bicycles in the park — designated a First Amendment platform by the city — vastly outnumbered speakers and attendees Tuesday.

Another pro-Palestinian protest is planned for Tuesday night outside the Israeli consulate in the West Loop.

According to reports, more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's ground invasion and aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip. This follows the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which left about 1,200 dead, according to the Associated Press. Hamas abducted about 240 people during the attack, and more than 70 hostages are believed to remain in captivity, according to the Washington Post.