Chicago Mayor Criticizes Republicans Following DNC Disruption by Far-Left Protesters

Chicago Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson didn’t hesitate to shift the blame to Republicans on Monday after far-left protesters disrupted the Democratic National Convention (DNC). The protesters, many waving Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyehs, tore down parts of the fencing surrounding the United Center, causing a significant breach in security.

When questioned by the Washington Examiner about the breach caused by pro-Palestinian activists, Johnson dismissed any suggestion of a security lapse. Instead, he accused Republicans of being the true culprits. “Protecting the First Amendment right. That’s what we’ve done. We’ve done that,” Johnson asserted. He then launched into an attack on the GOP, saying, “Here’s what the failure is: an extreme Republican Party that doesn’t believe in democracy, an extreme Republican Party that attacked this country, an extreme Republican Party with Gov. Abbott attacking the city of Chicago.”

Johnson’s remarks alluded to the ongoing controversy over illegal immigrants being bused into Chicago from Texas under Governor Greg Abbott's orders. Johnson suggested that this, rather than the DNC disruption, represented the real failure, framing the protest as a reflection of "the hopes and aspirations of the people of this country."

Despite Johnson's rhetoric, the facts on the ground told a different story. Chicago Police reported that while demonstrators managed to breach part of the anti-scale fencing along the DNC’s outer perimeter, the situation was quickly contained. “Law enforcement personnel were immediately on-scene and contained the situation,” the police stated. “At no point was the inner perimeter breached, and there was no threat to any protectees.”

The protest, which drew at least 100,000 participants, was fueled by anger over the Biden administration’s handling of Israel’s conflict with Hamas. The Democratic Party itself has been deeply divided over the issue, with significant dissent regarding President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s policies.

Chicago’s leadership, anticipating the protests, had declared they would protect First Amendment rights while also maintaining order. CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling emphasized, “We want people to exercise their First Amendment rights. We will protect them while they’re doing it. But we will not guarantee someone that we’re not going to make arrests if they act violently or start to commit crimes.”

Mayor Johnson had previously stated that Chicago would be “ready for this moment” and promised that the city would remain “safe and peaceful and vibrant and energetic.” However, his comments following the security breach suggest a reluctance to address the real issues at hand, preferring instead to deflect blame onto political opponents.

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