Police Arrest 13 on DNC’s First Day; Security Fence Strengthened

On the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 13 individuals faced arrest, as confirmed by police. Among those arrested, approximately 10 were taken into custody after a small group of protestors breached the outer security perimeter of the event amid a larger demonstration.

According to Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, an estimated 3,500 demonstrators marched from Union Park, located just a few blocks from the United Center, to Park 578 before returning to Union Park later that afternoon. The majority of the participants conducted themselves peacefully.

The protest highlighted solidarity with Palestine, with activists demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and calling for an end to U.S. funding for Israel.

As part of the demonstration, a small faction of agitators was reported to have removed locks from the outer fencing surrounding the United Center. Around 4:30 PM, they managed to knock down a section of the outer fence, allowing some individuals to slip through and attempt to dismantle a second layer of security. However, police effectively intervened.

“It was a brief breach,” Snelling remarked.

Those who managed to breach the perimeter reportedly threw water bottles and other objects at the police. Some individuals also sprayed officers with pepper spray, resulting in minor injuries for the latter.

“We will not tolerate vandalism and violence in our city. We stand ready to respond to such situations. I am proud of how the Chicago Police Department handled the circumstances,” Snelling emphasized, noting the extensive training and preparation undertaken leading up to the convention.

Out of the 13 arrests made on Monday, approximately 10 were directly related to the security breach, facing charges that included trespassing, resisting and obstructing police, as well as aggravated battery against law enforcement officers.

“Our officers maintained composure and did not overreact. We managed to quickly restore order in that area,” Snelling stated. He added that additional security measures had been implemented around the United Center to prevent further breaches during the DNC.

Crews were observed adding extra fencing to the security perimeter near the venue the following morning.

U.S. Secret Service Democratic National Convention Coordinator Jeff Burnside refrained from divulging specific details about modifications made to the security perimeter but did confirm that repairs were conducted on the security fence. He asserted, “We take a multi-layered approach to security and continually collaborate with our state, local, and federal partners to assess and improve our measures.”

Representatives from the Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild indicated that two of the individuals arrested required hospitalization, alleging police misconduct. However, Superintendent Snelling rejected this assertion, stating that the individuals were taken to the hospital for necessary medication.

“The police acted appropriately, and we have body camera footage to support this. The detainees were not hospitalized due to injuries. We ensure that individuals requiring medication receive it whenever they are taken into custody,” Snelling explained.

Despite the security breach, Snelling indicated that there was no need to alter public safety strategies during the DNC. “We cannot predict every possible situation, but if we manage to respond promptly and prevent escalation, then we have fulfilled our duty,” he noted.

Snelling acknowledged that while the vast majority of participants in the protest were exercising their First Amendment rights peacefully, a small group chose to act out after the protest’s participants began dispersing, resulting in the fence breach.

“Those who opted to commit acts of vandalism chose to remain behind, while we responded with trained officers prepared to handle such situations. Thanks to our preparedness, the breach did not escalate into something more severe,” he stated.

He also expressed confidence in the restraint shown by the officers during the arrests, asserting, “The officers managed to maintain control without resorting to greater force, despite having the option to do so.”

Police are set to release body camera footage of the incident following the formal charging of the arrested individuals. Snelling dismissed claims from the National Lawyers Guild suggesting that the arrested parties were merely “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“Sometimes, being in the wrong place at the wrong time stems from the choices one makes and their engagement in unlawful activities,” he stated.