In Chicago on the second night of the Democratic National Convention, pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed with authorities near the Israeli consulate. People shouted, ‘Let them go!’ as police apprehended at least four people and attempted to disperse the crowd.
Some protesters burned a U.S. flag during the roll call for the newly sworn-in VP Kamala Harris, which occurred approximately two miles from the capitol. Most of the demonstrators wore black and obscured their faces; some of the slogans chanted included “Make it great like ’68,” referring to the anti-Vietnam War demonstrations.
The atmosphere could not be more different from the day before, in which people, including families, were walking in support of a cessation of hostilities while the situation in Gaza remains tense. A local psychiatry resident, Mohammed Ismail, swore at the heavy police presence and called for the U. S to stop supporting Israel.
Before that, Israelis staged their own rally calling for enduring American support and demanding Hamas set free Israeli detainees. More demonstrations are lined up for the week as the police stand willing and ready to prevent breaches of the peace in the city in view of the escalating tensions.
