Chicago protests against DNC: Workers erect new fence around United Center after breach during protest at Democratic National Convention

CHICAGO (WLS) — Even after a fence in front of the United Center was breached on Monday, security at the Democratic Party Convention remains a top priority.

Just as the delegates arrived at the United Center, some protesters broke through the outer security fence.

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Early Tuesday morning, after delegates and dignitaries left the building for the night, emergency responders began working outside the arena to reinforce the DNC security perimeter.

A group of protesters broke through the security fence before the hammer fell on the first day of the event.

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Whole sections of the interlocking iron fences were dismantled and, in some cases, dragged away by protesters.

Chicago police brought out their riot gear and responded to the scene within minutes of the break-in.

“We had officers being thrown objects at,” said Chicago Police Commissioner Larry Snelling. “We had people pepper spraying our officers. They maintained control and were able to handle the situation.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, 13 people had been arrested and eleven were charged in connection with the DNC protests.

At least ten of those arrested were connected to the breach of the fence, Snelling said.

They are accused of grievous bodily harm to a police officer, trespassing, disturbing the peace or resisting arrest. They are between 22 and 70 years old.

At least two of those arrested have already appeared in court and were released on condition that they stay away from the DNC grounds.

Thousands marched from Union Park to Park 578 to demand action on a range of issues, including the war between Israel and Hamas. The protest was largely peaceful.

“I don't want to link everything that happened, the fence, to the whole march. Because there were people who exercised their right to free speech, committed no crimes and marched away from here,” said Superintendent Snelling. “What we saw yesterday was not a peaceful protest at the point where the fence was breached. The people who had decided to commit crimes and vandalism stayed behind.”

Snelling observed his department's reaction firsthand.

“Our goal in the march was to march to the DNC, and that's what we did,” said Faayani Aboma Mijana, spokeswoman for the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. “We marched within sight and hearing of the United Center. We were protesting genocide, and we don't police everyone. But at the same time, we're talking about a fence while a genocide is happening.”

The Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild described the Chicago police response in a statement as “aggressive and at times violent.”

“I can tell you right now: Officers could have used more force in some situations yesterday than they actually did, and they showed great restraint. So we will always face resistance to our response. There are people out there who believe we shouldn't exist at all,” Snelling said.

On Tuesday morning, workers added an additional layer of these steel cages, as well as more concrete K-rail/Jersey barriers, and screwed in steel clamps to provide double protection around the perimeter and prevent the barriers from being lifted off their hinges.

During daylight hours, the emergency services also installed a camera high up on the street lamp on the corner, from which they could see the spot where the break-in had occurred.

Another major cause for concern is a protest planned for Tuesday evening outside the Israeli consulate, about two miles from the United Center. The city has not authorized this protest.

“We will assess the situation over time and be able to move any type of resources or assets that we need to make sure we keep the situation under control. We are prepared,” Snelling said.

Residents struggle with road closures

There are repeated road closures in the Gold Coast district.

For some, like suburban resident Nicholas Alexander, Tuesday's road closures are almost too much.

“It was a little brutal,” Alexander said. “I came to town to help my grandmother, who works as a nurse, and it seems like every road is either cut off or closed because of the convention.”

With the Democratic Party Convention only on its second day, some people are already finding it difficult to get around the city of Chicago.

While the city center remains relatively quiet, there are numerous street closures in other parts of the city.

In the Gold Coast neighborhood, there will be temporary road closures on Delaware Place from State Street to Rush Street, on Rush Street from Delaware Street to Walton Street, on Walton Street from State Street to Rush Street, and on State Street from Delaware to Walton Street.

“It's crazy,” said resident Miya Dubin. “I was walking the dog here in the neighborhood on the corner of Oak Street and State and I woke up this morning and I was like, 'Where are we?' There are like gates and walls everywhere.”

Some businesses in the area hope to benefit from increased foot traffic as the 2024 DNC brings about 50,000 visitors to the city.

Local resident Dan McGinnis is excited at the prospect of seeing a famous person.

“I haven't seen any people yet, but I have seen the Vice President's motorcade parked there waiting for her whenever she decides to travel today, so it was pretty cool,” McGinnis said.

The road closures are not expected to last more than a few days, but it is unclear what impact they will have on businesses in the area.