Anti-Israel demonstrations outside Chicago consulate during 2nd night of DNC

Protest took place about 2 miles away from Democratic Convention hall

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As the second night of the Democratic National Convention was underway, including a cast of some of the biggest names in the Democratic Party – from Barack and Michelle Obama to Kamala Harris’ husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff – a group of protesters was calling to “shut down the DNC.”

About two miles from the DNC hall, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Israeli consulate carrying signs decrying U.S. support for Israel. Some were heard shouting “Long live the Intifada” while others carried signs reading, “Bring the war home.”

At one point a demonstrator burned an Israeli flag before attempting to set an American flag aflame. Footage on social media showed a bystander attempting to grab the American flag before the demonstrator could light it on fire.

According to the Associated Press, the police arrested more than a dozen pro-Palestine demonstrators during the protest outside the Israeli consulate. The protest marked the second day pro-Palestine demonstrations were held in connection with the DNC.

Unlike the protests on Monday, which were largely peaceful and approved in advance by city officials, the demonstration outside the consulate was deemed “an unlawful assembly” by Chicago police.

The group behind the demonstration, "Behind Enemy Lines," said it had not sought a permit from the city.

Organizer Michael Boyte told the Chicago Tribune: “No permits, no cooperation with the city, people are going to come ready to rock.”

On its website, the group promised to “Shut down the DNC for Gaza.” and encouraged those attending the protest to “Make it great like ’68” – a reference to protests against the Vietnam War during the previous DNC in Chicago in 1968.

Many of the demonstrators wore black clothes and covered their faces with masks or traditional Palestinian keffiyehs, while others held Palestinian flags.

A small number of counter-protesters also gathered, holding signs that read: "Bring them home," referring to the remaining Israeli hostages. Others were seen holding Israeli flags.

According to FOX News, the crowd of demonstrators grew to around 250 throughout the evening. Police made several arrests throughout the protest.

A spokesman for the National Lawyers Guild claimed that around 70 people were arrested before the demonstration ended, however, police claimed only 15 were arrested.

Due to the large presence of police and demonstrators, law enforcement closed down most of the entrances to the Israeli consulate building. The nearby Metra commuter rail station was also closed ahead of the protest.

The continued protests indicate how divisive the issue of the Gaza War has become for some within the Democratic Party.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has continued to affirm her support for Israel’s right to defend itself, while also expressing concern for the high number of civilian casualties.

On the first night of the DNC, the party adopted a platform that explicitly called for continued support for Israel, which angered many in the Arab community who had hoped to see that part of the platform removed.