The first scheduled speaker had not even been introduced before protesters breached the recently-installed fencing outside the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Monday afternoon.
The Blaze’s Julio Rosas documented some of the chaos, sharing video on X of protesters first approaching the fencing and cutting off a sign posted by the United States Secret Service.
DNC protesters have reached the security fence around the United Center/DNC. One person cut off a Secret Service sign off of the fence. pic.twitter.com/uolhYog7W0
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) August 19, 2024
Within a short time, they had torn down sections of the outer fence entirely, pushing through to the other side.
🚨DNC protesters have torn down security fencing around the DNC and are getting closer to the United Center. pic.twitter.com/JDOszW7mUi
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) August 19, 2024
The protesters, many of whom wore traditional Palestinian keffiyehs or carried Palestinian flags, attempted to breach a second fence line but were held back.
DNC protesters attempted to breach a second security fence protecting the United Center after breaking through the first line but were unsuccessful. pic.twitter.com/E8aK7rMod5
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) August 19, 2024
Rosas reported that he had seen at least one person arrested as Chicago police officers, fully kitted in riot gear, held the protesters off.
Chicago police eventually moved in to disperse the DNC protesters who had breached the first fence. I saw at least one arrest. pic.twitter.com/uHicfz3A84
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) August 19, 2024
Most of the protesters were reportedly there to voice their objections to the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the war between Israel and the terror group Hamas in Gaza — and while many called for an end to U.S.’s aid to Israel, some called for an end to Israel itself.
“End Israel, stand with Hamas,” one protester’s sign read — and he told The Daily Wire that he believed “armed resistance” against Israel was the only way to make that happen.
A protester outside the DNC holds a sign reading “End Israel, stand with Hamas” pic.twitter.com/l82C6xaLnZ
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) August 19, 2024