Over 70 arrested in Chicago after pro-Palestinian protesters clash with police

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago were arrested Tuesday after clashing with police during a protest that began outside the nearby Israeli consulate and spilled out onto the surrounding streets.

The confrontations with officers began minutes into the demonstration, according to the Associated Press.

Some protesters – including many dressed in black and their faces covered – reportedly charged at a line of police that had blocked the group from marching.

At least 72 people were arrested, according to the Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, which provided legal observers for Tuesday’s protests.

Most of the arrests reportedly occurred at the end of the night, as police pinned the remaining demonstrators – some of whom said they were trying to get home – in a plaza and blocked them from leaving.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling denied that police had “kettled” protesters, a tactic that involves corralling demonstrators in a confined area, which is banned under a federal consent decree, the wire service also reports.