HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (CBS) — Pro-Palestinian protesters held a demonstration outside the home of U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Illinois) in Highland Park on Saturday night, sparking noise complaints and panic among residents.
In an alert to the community, city officials said that around 2:43 a.m., the Highland Park Police Department’s dispatch center received approximately 30 reports of noise disturbances involving people shouting near Woodland Road.
Officers arrived on the scene within minutes and saw about 40 protesters, carrying banners and shouting pro-Palestinian and anti-Semitic chants using loudspeakers and drums, gathered on the sidewalk. Video on social media also documented noisemakers that sounded like sirens.
Schneider’s office said a red liquid that resembled some type of animal blood was poured onto the congressman’s driveway and sidewalk.
Officials said officers immediately began de-escalating and dispersing the crowd, following safe management procedures based on the size of the crowd and establishing a perimeter around the protesting group to ensure the safety of neighbors in the area who were outside. Officers also communicated with the event organizer, advising them of city regulations regarding noise and safe gatherings.
At approximately 3 a.m., officers requested additional units to assist with scene management and coordinate an immediate and safe dispersal. By 3:15 a.m., all protesters had left the scene.
Officers remained on scene for another two hours to investigate and ensure the safety of residents, officials said.
The city of Highland Park said no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed. The city said the crowd was dispersed peacefully.
The protest takes place just a few days earlier Highland Park prepares for two-year anniversary since the July 4 shooting at the Parade, where a mass shooter opened fire, killing seven people and wounding dozens.
A spokesperson for Rep.’s office Schneider said:
“It is unfortunate that rather than seeking constructive dialogue with Congressman Schneider, a group of people who kept their faces hidden chose to taunt and intimidate a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in the middle of the night on the Jewish Sabbath. It is even more disturbing that they chose to disrupt and traumatize a community preparing to commemorate the second anniversary of the Highland Park mass shooting, a shared tragedy fueled by hatred, in the daylight, rather than in the dark of night.”
Anti-Defamation League regional director David Goldenberg said he has spoken with local police and Schneider about the protest.
The City of Highland Park says it is in contact with Deputy Schneider.
Officials also say there will be extra patrols in neighborhoods and places of worship will be closely monitored.
