CHICAGO—The U.S. Palestinian Community Network in Chicago claimed victory Sept. 19 when a member of the group was found not guilty of “obstructing of traffic” and “disorderly conduct” charges stemming from the Tax Day 2024 protests, in which 55 Palestinians and supporters were arrested.
“Attorneys from the National Lawyers Guild highlighted then-Chicago Police Commander David Harris’ abuse of power, and the judge stated that it was a targeted arrest,” said USPCN-Chicago.
“We live in a city right now with a mayor who voted in January to end Israel’s violence and also says publicly that what Israel is doing is a genocide,” said defendant Nick Sous of USPCN-Chicago.
“But we also live in a city with racist, Zionist alders (aldermen) … cheerleading war and genocide. CPD and Corporation Counsel are trying to criminalize and repress our movement, but they lost big-time today!”
We won’t stop organizing until we stop the Gaza genocide and Palestine is free, from the river to the sea, vowed USPCN-Chicago leaders.
