Jewish protesters and allies block Israeli consulate in Chicago, demanding a cease-fire in Gaza
CHICAGO — Hundreds of Jewish peace activists and their allies converged at a significant practice station in downtown Chicago throughout rush hour Monday morning, blocking the doorway to the Israeli consulate and demanding U.S. assist for an Israel cease-fire as battles rage in northern Gaza.
Midwestern Jews and allies traveled to Chicago from Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois for the demonstration, organizers stated.
The Israeli consulate in Chicago is in a constructing linked to the Ogilvie Transportation Center, a significant commuter rail station.
Over 100 protesters who had blocked escalators resulting in the consulate had been arrested for misdemeanor trespassing and escorted out of the constructing, in keeping with Ben Lorber, who helped manage the protest led by Chicago chapters of Jewish Voice for Peace, IfNotNow, and Never Again Action. That data was not confirmed by Chicago police, who couldn’t instantly present data on the quantity and causes for arrests, and what number of demonstrators participated.
The combating was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 shock assault on Israel, whose response has led to 1000’s of deaths – and far destruction – throughout Gaza.
Advocacy group Jewish Voice for Peace led an analogous sit-in in New York City’s Grand Central Station on Oct. 27, the place a sea of protesters crammed the principle concourse throughout night rush hour, chanting slogans and unfurling banners demanding a cease-fire as Israel intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip. At least 200 demonstrators had been detained by New York cops.
And greater than 300 individuals had been arrested in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 19 for illegally demonstrating, and three individuals had been charged with assaulting police after protesters descended on Capitol Hill to name for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
The Chicago rally is exclusive from the earlier Jewish Voice demonstrations as a result of within the Midwest, “progressive Jewish communities are far smaller and separated by distance,” in keeping with an emailed press launch from organizers.
Chicago protesters cheered Monday as police led demonstrators from the constructing with fingers zip-tied behind their backs, many in black T-shirts that learn, “Not in our name.”
“We will not let a genocide happen in our name,” stated Clara Belitz of IfNotNow Chicago throughout an Instagram livestream of the protest. ”Our Jewish values compel us to talk out.” IfNotNow describes itself as a motion of American Jews organizing to finish U.S. assist of “the Israeli government’s apartheid system.”
A spokesperson for Metra, town’s commuter rail system, stated that trains continued to run usually, however protesters blocked the southern exit and commuters had been pressured to depart the station via different doorways.
“They shut down access to our platforms from the 500 West Madison building,” the place the consulate is positioned, stated Meg Reile, a spokesperson for Metra. “Trains continued to run throughout.”
The Israeli consulate in Chicago didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
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Savage is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit nationwide service program that locations journalists in native newsrooms to report on undercovered points.
