100+ Protesters Arrested By CPD While Calling For Peace In Gaza

CHICAGO — Scores of protesters seeking a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Israel were arrested Monday morning after police said the group blocked the entrance to the Israeli consulate at Ogilvie Transportation Center.

According to organizers, hundreds of people blocked the escalators leading to the Israeli consulate as part of the protest, which was organized by the Chicago chapters of Jewish Voice for Peace, IfNotNow and Never Again Action.

According to ABC7, 106 people were arrested after police ordered the protesters to leave the area and they refused.

"We knew this was an important time for our movement to speak because the first step to our long-term goal, which is an end to the occupation, is a cease-fire, and a cease-fire now," protester Daniel Epstein told reporters, according to ABC7.

Video footage posted by the groups on social media showed protesters being led out of the building by Chicago Police in handcuffs. A Metra spokesperson said that the protest did not keep commuters traveling into Ogilvie from entering and exit platforms at Canal and Clinton streets, which were used as the Madison Street platform is closed.

According to social media posts made by organizers, protesters at the event were chanting for a ceasefire to be called immediately. Protesters were not only blocking the escalators to the consulate but also conducting a sit-in at the downtown transportation center, organizers said.

The Sun-Times reported that protesters moved outside of the Accenture Tower around 10:30 in what was reported to be the largest protest of its kind in the Midwest. The newspaper reported that protesters came from neighboring states to join Monday's call for peace.

The Associated Press reported that more than 11,000 Palestinians – two-thirds of which are women and children – have been killed since the war began. The Health Ministry in Gaza said that an additional 2,700 people have been reported missing as well.

At least 1,200 people have died in Israel, most of which are civilians killed in the attack by Hamas, the AP reported, adding that 240 hostages are being held by militants.