Protesters gather outside congressman’s Highland Park home overnight, some residents livid no arrests made

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Highland Park Police were dispatched to the home of Congressman Brad Schneider early this morning for a protest.

Some residents are livid that police made no arrests when people protesting the Israel-Hamas war showed up at the congressman’s residence around 2:45 a.m.

Highland Park Police were dispatched to Woodland Road for a noise complaint and when they arrived they say they heard people shouting.

There were about 40 people in the street.

A statement from the city says, “Protestors carried banners and shouted pro-Palestinian and antisemitic chants using loudspeakers and drums.”

It says “officers immediately began de-escalation and dispersal of the crowd.” They had all left by around 3:15 a.m.

Highland Park residents commenting on social media couldn’t believe they weren’t arrested.

A statement from Congressman Schneider’s office says, in part:

“It’s unfortunate that, instead of seeking a constructive dialogue, a group of people hiding their faces chose to taunt and intimidate a predominantly Jewish neighborhood on the Jewish Sabbath in the middle of the night.  It’s even more disturbing they chose to harass a community that is preparing to commemorate the second anniversary of the Highland Park mass shooting, a shared tragedy that was spurred by hate.

“The Congressman is always happy to meet and sit down with anyone. I encourage those who disagree with his views to seek a conversation in the daylight rather than disturbing and traumatizing families in the darkness of night.”

In a statement from the City of Highland Park, the city says it will strictly enforce disturbance of the peace ordinances.

“The City will be conducting additional patrols in neighborhoods and implementing a close watch on houses of worship. The City unequivocally condemns antisemitism and all acts of hate, standing in solidarity with our Jewish community.”

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