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More than a dozen people arrested during protests at Israeli consulate meeting

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CHICAGO – Lines of police pushed back demonstrators from the Israeli consulate in Chicago on Tuesday evening after a small protest called by a militant group that suggested a violent confrontation would occur.

More than a dozen people were arrested during the demonstration against the Gaza war, while delegates to the Democratic National Convention officially nominated Kamala Harris as the party's presidential candidate in an arena two miles across town. The protesters far outnumbered the police in the glass-fronted diplomatic mission in Chicago's Accenture Tower.

As dozens of protesters chanted and beat drums surrounded by reporters, one participant set fire to an American flag in the street and was briefly interrupted by a passerby who tried to retrieve it. “You are the enemy,” he told the masked protesters. “Don't burn the American flag.”

At least six people were arrested outside the consulate.

As darkness fell, a small pro-Israel group gathered on the sidelines of the demonstration to briefly chant their own slogans.

By 8 p.m., the demonstrators had left the consulate and walked into a side street, where the police made several arrests while shouting “Get out!”

In a scrum of officers and protesters a block from the consulate, several police supervisors intervened in the melee to assist in arrests. A megaphone used by protesters to chant slogans fell to the ground with a clatter. An officer picked it up from the sidewalk and walked away.

During the nominating convention, Chicago will host numerous groups protesting against the Gaza war and the Biden administration's support for Israel.

More: DNC comes to 'Little Palestine' as death toll in Gaza Strip exceeds 40,000

Behind Enemy Lines is on the more militant end of the spectrum. The group is an outspoken advocate of confrontational protests that attract government and media attention. “Whether it's Genocide Joe or Killer Kamala, the butchers of Gaza must not be allowed to assemble in Chicago without interference,” the group said on its website announcing the protest.

Referring to the violent “Days of Rage” protests that rocked the Democratic National Convention more than five decades ago, the group demanded: “Make it great like '68!”

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