CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Hundreds of Jewish peace activists and Palestinian allies came to Chicago's Ogilvie Transportation Center from different Midwest states to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Monday morning.
People arrived by carpool, buses and trains from different states and all corners of Illinois for a demonstration, which blocked the entrance to the Israeli consulate, which is in a building connected to the Ogilvie Transportation Center. Among those at the rally: Rachel Idebuff, from Wisconsin.
"I'm alarmed by antisemitism, just like I'm alarmed by Islamophobia, but it is not antisemitic to stand against the genocide of our Palestinian cousins," Idebuff said.
Over 100 protesters who had blocked escalators leading to the consulate were arrested for misdemeanor trespassing and escorted out of the building, according to Ben Lorber, who helped organize the protest led by Chicago chapters of Jewish Voice for Peace, IfNotNow, and Never Again Action. That information was not confirmed by Chicago police, who could not immediately provide information on the number and reasons for arrests, and how many demonstrators participated.
The fighting between Israel and Hamas was triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel, whose response has led to thousands of deaths — and much destruction — across Gaza.
Advocacy group Jewish Voice for Peace led a similar sit-in in New York City's Grand Central Station on Oct. 27, where a sea of protesters filled the main concourse during evening rush hour, chanting slogans and unfurling banners demanding a cease-fire as Israel intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip. At least 200 demonstrators were detained by New York police officers.
More than 300 people were arrested in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 19 for illegally demonstrating, and three people were charged with assaulting police after protesters descended on Capitol Hill to call for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
The Chicago rally was unique from the previous Jewish Voice demonstrations because, in the Midwest, "progressive Jewish communities are far smaller and separated by distance," according to an emailed press release from organizers. Meltha Byrd, another attendee, traveled to Chicago from Indiana.
"For me, being raised Jewish meant that we believed in 'tikkun olam,' which means 'Heal the world,'" Byrd said. "[And] 'B'tzelem elohim': 'every life is precious.'"
Editor's note: "B'tzelem elohim" is often translated as "in the image of God."
Demonstrators blocked the entrance to the Israeli consulate, which is located in a building that's connected to the Ogilvie Transportation Center.AnnMarie Welser
The event attracted speeches from American Jewish, Israeli, Palestinian and Chicago community members and leaders.
"When we are here saying, 'Every life is precious,' that is every single life is precious," Byrd said. "Palestinian lives, Israeli lives, Jewish lives — no one life is valued more than another one."
A spokesperson for Metra, the city's commuter rail system, said that trains continued to run normally, but protesters blocked the southern exit and commuters were forced to leave the station through other doors.
"They shut down access to our platforms from the 500 West Madison building," where the consulate is located, said Meg Reile, a spokesperson for Metra. "Trains continued to run throughout."
The Israeli consulate in Chicago did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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