CBS News
Chicago police arrested 13 people during first day of DNC; perimeter fence fortified after breach
CHICAGO (CBS) — A total of 13 people were arrested during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, police said, including about 10 people who were arrested after a small group of agitators breached the outer security perimeter fence outside the DNC during a much larger protest march.
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling estimated 3,500 protesters marched from Union Park, a few blocks away from the United Center, to Park 578 just north of the arena, before returning to Union Park on Monday afternoon, and the vast majority of them remained peaceful.
The protest was a show of solidarity with Palestine, with activists calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, and an end to U.S. funding to Israel.
Snelling said a small group of agitators within the larger protest crowd removed locks from some of the outer fencing around the United Center, and knocked down part of the outer security fence around 4:30 p.m., and some people passed through a gap in the fence, and began trying to knock down a second layer of fencing, but police were able to stop them.
“It was a brief breach,” Snelling said.
Snelling said some of the people who got past the outer fence threw water bottles and other objects at police, and some in the crowd sprayed officers with pepper spray. The officers suffered only minor injuries.
“We’re not going to tolerate vandalism and violence in our city, and we’re ready, willing, and able to respond to those things. So we’re going to continue to protect the city,” Snelling said. “I couldn’t be more proud of how the Chicago Police Department responded under those circumstances. We put on display the training and the preparation that we’ve been engaged in for over a year now.”
A total of 13 people were arrested on Monday in connection to the DNC. Snelling said approximately 10 of those people were arrested in connection to breaching the security fence, and would face charges including trespassing, resisting and obstructing police, and aggravated battery of police officers.
“Our officers did not overreact. We were able to clear that area up really quickly,” Snelling said.
Snelling said the security perimeter around the United Center has since been fortified to make sure there aren’t any more breaches during the DNC. Crews were seen adding an extra layer of fencing to the security perimeter near the United Center on Tuesday morning.
U.S. Secret Service Democratic National Convention Coordinator Jeff Burnside declined to discuss details of any other changes that have been made along the security perimeter, but confirmed that other repairs have been made to the security fence.
“We take a multi-layered approach to all of our security measures, and we’re constantly working with our state, local, and federal partners to evaluate, make improvements, make adjustments, and that’s all we’re doing,” Burnside said. “Our plan was in place, our plan worked. We’re taking some lessons learned, and making the necessary adjustments.”
The Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild said two of the people who were arrested on Monday were hospitalized, and claimed police assaulted them, but Snelling denied that, insisting the two were taken to the hospital to get medication they needed.
“Those police officers responded perfectly, and we’ve got body cam footage to prove it. They were not hospitalized for injuries. As a police department, anytime we take someone into custody, if they’re on medication or the need medication, we make sure they get that,” Snelling said.
Despite the breach of the fence, Snelling said there was no need for CPD to change its public safety strategy during the DNC.
“We can’t account for every situation that could happen, but if we respond to it, and we put an end to it before it turns bad, then we’ve done our jobs,” he said.
Snelling said, while the vast majority of the people involved in Monday’s protest march were peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights, a small group decided to stay behind after the protest began leaving the area and breached the fence.
“The people who decided that they wanted to commit crimes and vandalism stayed behind. We responded to that event with our officers who were properly trained to deal with the situation, and as a result of it there was no serious breach that could have been worse had we not been prepared for that,” he said.
Snelling said he believes the officers who responded to the breach of the fence showed proper restraint while making arrests.
“The officers could have used more force in situations yesterday than they actually did, and those officers showed great restraint. We’re always going to have opposition to our response. There are people out there who don’t believe we should even exist. So of course we’re going to have those who are going to say that we were too aggressive,” he said.
The superintendent said police would release body camera footage of Monday’s arrests as soon as possible after those who were arrested are formally charged.
Snelling dismissed claims from the National Lawyers Guild that two of the people who were arrested claimed they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Sometimes being in the wrong place at the wrong time is indicative of the choices that you make to engage in criminal activity,” he said.
CBS News
Lithium battery fires on U.S. flights rise, FAA data shows
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
CBS News
Texas man fights to reunite with his family after he says they were unexpectedly deported
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
CBS News
Should you wait until after the holidays to tackle your debt? Experts decide
Credit card debt can really take its toll this time of year. Not only is the average credit card holder already carrying nearly $8,000 in credit card debt, but during the holiday season, many of us are tempted to rack up the balances even further to manage that holiday gift list.
Throw in today’s soaring credit card interest rates (over 23% on the typical credit card), and paying down that debt can feel even more challenging than normal.
Is that credit card debt a problem you should try to tackle now, though? Or should you wait until the hustle and bustle of the holidays has slowed down? Here’s what experts have to say.
Start comparing your credit card debt relief options now.
When you shouldn’t wait until after the holidays to tackle your debt
If you think the holiday season is only going worsen your credit card debt problems — or tempt you to overspend — then starting to tackle your debt today is best, experts say.
“Debt elimination isn’t a two-week process, so starting before or after the holidays has no effect — unless you get yourself into more debt because of the holidays,” says Steve Charlton, principal at Wisdom Financial. “Then you have to pay more interest on Christmas gifts or vacations.”
You should also act now if you want to avoid racking up any more interest on your credit card debts.
“The major drawback of waiting is that interest accumulates daily,” says Curt Scott, president of Scott Financial Group. “This results in a higher loan balance when you do start tackling debt in January.”
Finally, if you just want to go into the new year a little bit ahead of the game — and with less of a mountain to climb — taking steps toward debt relief now can be wise.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today,” Charlton says.
Find out how to get rid of your credit card debt today.
When you should wait until after the holidays to tackle your debt
There are really only two benefits that come with waiting to tackle your high-rate debt. The first is less stress — both financial and mental.
“Waiting until after the holidays to tackle debt can help avoid further budgetary strain during an already expensive time of the year,” Scott says. “Waiting can also provide some emotional relief during a holiday season that can be stressful, helping focus on spending and enjoying time with family and friends.”
Waiting it out could also allow you to better “focus on your debts without distraction” in the new year, says Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com.
“It’s hard to deal with debt during the holidays,” Dvorkin says. “That’s like saying you’ll start your diet on Thanksgiving day. Most Americans deal with their weight and their debt in January. That’s when they step on the scale and get their credit card statements. In both cases, they’re horrified by how big the number is. That’s when they get serious.”
The bottom line
Whatever path you choose to take, it’s important to have a plan before diving in. Set a budget to help you pay down your balances, and talk to a financial professional or credit counselor if necessary. You can also contact a debt relief company or explore debt relief options like debt consolidation, debt forgiveness or a debt management program.
Most importantly, you’ll need to address the root of your debt problems.
“It is important to identify the early signs that you may have a debt problem and make immediate behavior changes to avoid debt excessive accumulation,” Scott says. “People tend to continue their habits unless they make a conscious effort to change.”