More than 100 arrested at downtown Chicago rally to demand ceasefire in Gaza
CHICAGO (CBS)-- More than 100 people were arrested Monday morning during a protest at the Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago, where hundreds of Jews from across the Midwest gathered to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Around 9 a.m., hundreds of Jews and pro-Palestinian allies descended on the Ogilvie Transportation Center, home to a huge number of Metra trains. While train lines were not disrupted, the escalators inside the building were shut down for several hours, as chants for a ceasefire in Gaza grew louder and more animated.
Protesters weren't targeting the train station itself, but the Israeli consulate on the 31st floor of Accenture Tower above Ogilvie.
Protesters from various Jewish groups and other Jewish supporters said they came to downtown Chicago to stand in solidarity with Palestinians. Members of Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago and others around from the Midwest said they're upset with Israeli leadership for their treatment of Palestinian civilians during the war with Hamas, as well as the support the U.S. has given to Israel.
Following Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel, in which at least 1,200 people were killed, Israel's allies have defended the country's right to protect itself. But now into the second month of war, there are growing differences in how many feel Israel should conduct its fight.
The Gaza Ministry of Health has said that more than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, and a U.S. State Department official recently told Congress that while it will only know the true death toll once the fighting stops, it's possible the number is even higher.
Organizers of Monday's rally were calling on the U.S. government to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
"We are here to demand a ceasefire now," said Scout Bratt, with Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago, an activist group supporting Palestinian liberation. "We definitely need support from our representatives, and demanding our representatives sign onto the resolution that many other representatives have will be key to ending this violence."
Bratt said the goal of Monday's rally was to be one of the largest protests in support of Palestinians in the Midwest.
Initially, police sat back and observed the protest, but by 10 a.m., they issued an order to clear out, and most protesters moved their demonstration to the sidewalk outside. Those who didn't leave were lined up, placed in plastic cuffs, and taken to police trucks for processing. With every arrest, fellow protesters cheered.
Police said a total of 106 protesters were arrested for trespassing. The protest group called the arrests unconscionable.
In a statement, Israel Consul General Yinam Cohen said the protest "was not about peace."
"We are overwhelmed by the endless support for Israel by millions of Americans, Jews and non-Jews alike. We are looking forward to tomorrow's March for Israel in DC, the largest rally for Israel in decades."
