According to Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, the beginning of the Democratic National Convention, which opened Aug. 19, saw 3,500 demonstrators opposing the Jewish state, with 13 arrested facing such charges as criminal trespass, resisting arrest and aggravated battery against officers.
On Tuesday, Snelling said that at least 10 of those apprehended were allegedly involved in a crowd breaking through a security fence. He reported that protesters had used pepper spray against police and thrown water bottles at them during a conflict a block from the convention arena in a park where most of the arrests were made.
The breached fence reportedly did not put any attendees in danger, as an inner security barrier remained intact. On Tuesday, a crew of workers installed an additional row of fences.
On Sunday, police arrested two people on charges of misdemeanor property damage, making 15 the total arrest count so far.
“Our officers showed great restraint,” Snelling said during a news conference. “As I’ve said before, we’re not going to tolerate anyone who is going to vandalize things in our city.”
