Protestors Arrested for Criminal Property Defacement, Criminal Damage, Resisting/Obstructing Officer

First arrests made during protests as Chicago prepares for Democratic National Convention

Photo byTim Pearce/flickr [CC BY-SA 2.0]

CHICAGO - Two individuals were taken into custody on Sunday during protests in Chicago, held in advance of the Democratic National Convention. The Chicago Police Department reported the arrests on Monday, detailing the charges faced by the suspects.

The first individual, a 23-year-old woman, was charged with criminal defacement of property and resisting a peace officer. Authorities stated that she was observed defacing a business in the 100 block of East Wacker Drive. The woman was apprehended later in the 600 block of South Wabash Avenue.

During her arrest, a 28-year-old man allegedly attempted to interfere and caused damage to police bicycles. He was subsequently arrested and charged with criminal damage and resisting a peace officer. Both individuals face misdemeanor charges. Police have not disclosed any further information about the protesters, including potential affiliations with activist groups.

The protests on Sunday marked the beginning of a series of demonstrations coinciding with the arrival of political figures and delegates in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, which runs from Monday through Thursday. The coalition organizing these protests plans to hold demonstrations each day of the convention, with expectations of larger crowds than those seen at the recent Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Local officials, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, have emphasized that law enforcement will ensure public safety during the convention. Authorities are coordinating with the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies to manage the situation. Mayor Johnson stated that while the city respects individuals' First Amendment rights, any acts of vandalism or violence will result in arrests.

The protests are expected to focus primarily on opposition to the Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Demonstrators have particularly targeted Vice President Kamala Harris, the newly nominated Democratic presidential candidate, interrupting her at various rallies.

The scale of the protests in Chicago has drawn comparisons to the 1968 Democratic National Convention, which also took place in the city and was marked by significant clashes between protesters and police.