68 arrested after pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally at Art Institute of Chicago

CHICAGO — Dozens were arrested after a large group of demonstrators gathered outside the Art Institute of Chicago on Saturday afternoon, calling for an end to the war between Israel and Hamas.

The Chicago Police Department said Sunday that 68 people were arrested.

The group, which appeared to be in the hundreds, gathered near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and East Monroe Street, some even began setting up an encampment in one of the institute’s gardens.

It is the latest of several pro-Palestinian protests that have taken place at college campuses across the country in recent weeks, where demonstrators demanded that universities stop doing business with companies that support Israel.

Chicago police said protestors began setting up the encampment at around 11 a.m., some even “barricaded and locked the gates to fortify their position.”

Police say they arrived on scene and began negotiations with protestors, to clear the area. After hours of negotiations, the Art Institute offered demonstrators an alternative site, but police say they refused.

According to police, at around 3:30 p.m., the institute asked officers to take action against those who were “illegally occupying the property.”

Police issued a warning for protestors to disperse around 4:10 p.m. and a second warning came about 10 minutes later.

Following a third and final warning at 4:30 p.m., officers say dozens of demonstrators were arrested for criminal trespass to property, and the area was cleared by 5 p.m.

Following Saturday’s demonstrations, the Art Institue issued a statement:

The Art Institute of Chicago respects a group’s right to peacefully protest without harming staff and visitors. Today, a group of individuals, including some SAIC students, began a protest in the museum’s North Garden, and as it progressed, protesters surrounded and shoved a security officer and stole their keys to the museum, blocked emergency exits, and barricaded gates. The protest also began to escalate on Michigan Avenue outside of the museum. Because our priority is the safety of our employees, our visitors, and our collection, protesters were offered an alternative location to continue their protest on campus that would be safer for all involved, and they did not accept that relocation offer. During multiple rounds of negotiations, SAIC student protesters were promised amnesty from academic sanction and trespassing charges if they agreed to relocate. The School also agreed to meet with a student group to discuss their demands. After approximately five hours, an agreement could not be reached. The Chicago Police Department ended the protest in the safest way possible, and we estimate that approximately 50 people were arrested.

Art Institute of Chicago Executive Director of Public Affairs Megan Michienzi

Some schools, including Northwestern University, have reached agreements with demonstrators to bring an end to the encampments. The agreements have sparked backlash from some who say they are unjust and fail to recognize the mistreatment of Jewish students on campus.

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