74 Palestinian Supporters Arrested At The Democratic National Convention In The US

A total of 74 people were arrested during pro-Palestinian protests in Chicago, Illinois, USA. BETWEEN ANADOlu/PY

JAKARTA - As many as 74 pro-Palestinian supporters in Chicago, Illinois, United States (US) were arrested by police, Friday, August 23, local time during the Democratic National Convention.

The Democratic National Convention itself lasted for four days starting on Monday, August 19, at the United Center arena location. In the event, Vice President Kamala Harris officially received a presidential candidacy from the Democratic Party on Thursday (22/8) night.

Chicago has been experiencing protests since earlier this week, including one demonstration in front of the Israeli Consulate, in which thousands expressed support for Palestine and demanded an end to US support for the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip by Israel.

"As a result of everything that happened out there, there were a total of 74 arrests linked to the protest situation," Chicago Police Chief Larry Snelling told reporters, along with Mayor Brandon Johnson, quoted from ANTARA, Saturday, August 24.

He added that four people were taken to hospital because of "medical problems."

"We have several officers who were injured, and the officer refused medical treatment because they didn't want to leave their colleagues out there alone," he said. "They wanted to stay with their colleagues to make sure they were safe. So as a result, no one was injured, no one was injured," he added.

Meanwhile, Johnson said that the 2024 Convention would be remembered "as an example of constitutional consolidation."

"These brave women and men show the world how we can maintain security while protecting people's right to protest and voice their opinions," he added.

The demonstrators waved the Palestinian flag and chanted slogans such as "Palestinian will be free from rivers to sea!"

The protesters also carried banners that read "Akhiri US Assistance to Israel," "Biden, Harris You Will See! Palestine Will Be Free!" and "Free Palestine Now!"

Israel continues to carry out brutal attacks on Gaza following attacks by Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, despite UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire.

The attack has resulted in more than 40,200 deaths of Palestinians, mostly women and children, and nearly 93,000 injuries, according to local health authorities.

The ongoing blockade in Gaza has caused severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicines, leaving most areas in the rubble.

Israel faces allegations of genocide at the International Court, which has ordered a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians have sought refuge before the region was invaded on May 6.