Protesters calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas blocked off the escalators of a 400-foot skyscraper in Chicago on Monday where an Israeli Consulate is located.
The hundreds of protesters at Chicago's Accenture Tower, who were Jewish, wore black and donned face masks. They carried large signs reading, "Jews say ceasefire now" and "Never again for anyone." Some protesters carried signs that included peace symbols such as a white dove, and at least two dozen people were arrested after ignoring police instructions for protesters to leave the building.
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"We are here to demand a ceasefire now," Scout Bratt from the Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago group told CBS News. "We definitely need support from our representatives, and demanding our representatives sign onto the resolution that many other representatives have will be key to ending this violence."
The protesters had blocked off the escalator on the second and third floors to block employees from getting to work. After being told to leave, some protesters continued the demonstration on the sidewalk outside the large complex.
The protesters are calling for an end to the war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas. The war began on Oct. 7 after the organization attacked Israel. Thousands have been killed on both sides, with at least 11,000 killed in the Gaza Strip. More than 200 people have also been captured by Hamas, including Americans.
The protest in Chicago is the latest in a series of large pro-Palestinian demonstrations happening across the country. Thousands have gathered in New York, Washington, Chicago, and Austin, Texas, so far to call for an end to the hostilities. It also comes ahead of a large pro-Israel march in Washington on Tuesday.
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President Joe Biden and the majority of U.S. officials have supported Israel's right to defend itself after the terrorist attack last month but have also pushed for a humanitarian pause to give aid to people in Gaza.
His stance in support of the Jewish state has caused an uproar from some in the far-left wing of his party, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), who said Biden was "cheering on" Israel's "ethnic cleansing."