On May 4th, protesters gathered outside the Art Institute of Chicago to demand the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) divest from the Israeli government amid its ongoing assault on Gaza. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) responded to the protest by arresting more than 70 protesters, all of whom had their charges later dropped under the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office’s “peaceful protest policy.”
The CPD’s response to the SAIC protest has raised concerns about its handling of mass demonstrations, with protesters highlighting similarities to the violent response to demonstrations following the police murder of George Floyd in 2020. Civil rights advocates and oversight reports have pointed to confusing policies, leadership failures, and poor compliance with existing rules within the CPD.
In response to the issues raised in 2020, a new policy to protect protesters’ First Amendment rights was implemented in December 2022. However, experts warn that the CPD’s recent policy changes, including new versions of mass arrest-related policies released for public comment, could exacerbate problems identified in 2020. There are concerns that the CPD’s focus on policy changes may obscure the larger issue of police culture and response to protests.
The CPD’s failure to provide arrestees with prompt access to a phone call and lawyer has also been highlighted, with more than 99 percent of arrestees during a specific time frame not consulting with a lawyer. Additionally, the CPD’s policy changes around protests have been criticized for lowering reporting requirements for officers using force during large-scale arrests, making it harder to hold officers accountable.
As the Democratic National Convention (DNC) approaches, activists planning to protest the event are concerned about the CPD’s response to protests, particularly regarding force against Palestinian protesters. Despite uncertainty around protections and treatment, local organizers remain cautiously optimistic about the DNC and are confident in their ability to protest safely.
Overall, the CPD’s handling of protests and policy changes leading up to the DNC have sparked concerns among activists and civil rights advocates, who are calling for transparency, community input, and a focus on protecting protesters’ First Amendment rights. Addressing issues of police culture, leadership failures, and accountability within the CPD is seen as crucial to ensuring the safety and rights of protesters during the upcoming DNC.
