The Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) is condemning the aggressive and, at times, violent response by the Chicago Police Department (CPD) toward protesters at the start of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). CPD’s response includes massive shows of force at multiple demonstrations held so far, with hundreds of police officers lining march routes and surrounding protesters. A total of 14 protesters have been arrested as of Monday night, including two on Sunday and 12 on Monday. Two protesters have needed hospitalization as a result of their arrests by CPD.
On Sunday, CPD officers followed groups of protesters leaving a Palestine solidarity march down Michigan Avenue, later arresting two activists, one of whom was assaulted by CPD officers during their arrest, resulting in the person’s hospitalization. Another protester arrested on Monday while marching between Union Park and the United Center, where the DNC is being held, also needed hospitalization as a result of being roughed up by CPD. Members of NLG Chicago saw police follow several protesters leaving the Sunday march, arresting them in parking lots and on side streets.
Both protesters arrested on Sunday were held for hours before being allowed to speak to a lawyer, and were not allowed to make private phone calls with attorneys at the police station in violation of CPD policies and procedures and the law.
The Poor People’s Army and a protest encampment in Union Park experienced targeted harassment from CPD when members were prevented from pitching tents in city parks, despite the fact that every day the City of Chicago rightfully allows unhoused people to sleep in tents in public parks.
NLG Chicago is supporting thousands of protesters at the DNC this week by providing “Know Your Rights” trainings for activists and organizers, deploying scores of Legal Observers on the streets to monitor police conduct at protests, staffing a hotline to track and support protesters when they’re arrested, and responding to police stations to offer legal representation.
