Chicago — Despite chaotic footage captured on the ground by the Daily Caller News Foundation and other outlets, major media outlets have reported the protests on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) as peaceful.
of Los Angeles Times, Reuters, BBC and Chicago TribuneSome, such as CNN, described Monday's pro-Palestinian protests outside the Democratic National Convention as “largely peaceful,” but video taken by the DCNF showed protesters breaching the fence surrounding the convention site and struggling with police.
FOX 32 Chicago reporter said Protesters were seen throwing stones at police, though the officers did not return fire.
(DCNF/Jason Hopkins)
Anticipating large pro-Palestinian protests, the DNC erected a wall around the event site to allow entry only to “qualified or ticketed individuals,” with the US Secret Service and federal, state, and local law enforcement working together to secure the perimeter, according to Newsweek. Reported.
Video shows protesters were able to enter the event by dismantling the makeshift barrier and lifting individual sections apart, and event organizers tried to convince demonstrators who had broken through the perimeter to return to the ongoing protest.
of #DemocraticNationalConvention Protesters have breached the first fence and are approaching the Democratic National Convention, where organizers are pleading with them to rejoin the demonstrations. Daily Caller pic.twitter.com/xylCm7nG7a
— Jason Hopkins (@jasonhopkinsdc) August 19, 2024
Police advanced in single file to disperse the protesters, marching in riot gear and brandishing batons to push them back.
Police stormed in to break up protesters who had broken through the fence. Daily Caller pic.twitter.com/YZkfAH38Rg
— Jason Hopkins (@jasonhopkinsdc) August 19, 2024
Footage from the DCNF showed several protesters struggling with officers while being detained, and protesters hurled bottles and placards at police.
The situation is escalating into a riot. Police have made several arrests. Protesters are hurling signs and bottles at officers. Daily Caller pic.twitter.com/qI4b0Vn2Ki
— Jason Hopkins (@jasonhopkinsdc) August 19, 2024
Law enforcement arrested at least four people after the break-in. According to To CNN.
Police take away one rioter Daily Caller #dncprotest pic.twitter.com/uCTXqkLGDa
— Jason Hopkins (@jasonhopkinsdc) August 19, 2024
The DCNF captured photos of protesters holding signs denounced Vice President Kamala Harris as a terrorist and Hamas as “anti-terrorists.”[s].”
(DCNF/Jason Hopkins)
“If there are individuals who are looking to go into the crowd and cause violence or vandalism, we are going to stop them,” Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said. According to “We will never tolerate anyone trying to vandalize property in our city,” he told The Associated Press.
President Joe Biden struck a softer tone when referring to the protesters during his keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, saying pro-Palestinian demonstrators “have a point” given the high death toll in Gaza. Politico Reported.
University students across the country have been occupying campuses throughout the 2023-2024 academic year, staging sometimes violent demonstrations to protest Israel's military operations in Gaza. According to To the New York Times.
The Democratic National Committee did not immediately respond to DCNF's request for comment.
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