CHICAGO — Former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy caused a small splash when he appeared at the staging site where anti-Israel protesters were rallying.

Mr. Ramaswamy, who was seen Thursday afternoon walking past Union Park where protesters are preparing to march on Democratic National Convention on its final night, attracted a small group of American-flag-waving conservative counterdemonstrators and a swarm of press.

“I think that there’s actually a lot of people who may want to engage in thoughtful dissent, but the majority of what it’s become ends up evolving into a thoughtless quasi physical exercise,” he told reporters.

“A lot of them are p——- off about the direction of the Democratic Party. [Republicans] want peace. Even if you don’t agree with everything that a Republican candidate says, there’s actually a better option,” he said.

One of Mr. Ramaswamy’s supporters yelled, “God bless you!” And another yelled, “Vivek, we support you!” and “Vivek is a cool guy.”

His detractors, however, demanded he say “free Palestine” and called him a “sell out.”

Mr. Ramaswamy’s visit was brief and he departed with his group to the nearby elevated train station.

• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.