Chicago police officers have received specialized deescalation training but are expecting violence and vandalism at the DNC following anti-war protests in New York City and Washington, D.C.
“Anyone who breaks the law, whatever their political affiliation or cause, will be held fully accountable,” Chicago leaders said ahead of the political event.
“Typically, what we see in protest cases are nonviolent offenses. There’s no reason to delay people’s release,” said Judge Mary Marubio, who oversees the Circuit Court of Cook County’s pretrial division.
CPD officials say they are expecting between 10,000 and 30,000 protesters during the DNC. They will allow these individuals to exercise their First Amendment right to protest but will try to keep as much peace as possible.
Protesters arrested while marching at the DNC will be brought to a police station five miles north of the United Center, where many of the conference’s events will be taking place. The once-defunct courtroom in the station can now hold nearly 100 people.
An additional 30 courtrooms have also been cleared out in the very unlikely case the first one overflows, according to city officials.
Recent events have given the Chicago Police Department a dry run in handling mass arrests and how the Pretrial Fairness Act operates in these circumstances. In May, about 50 people were arrested during a Pride event. The juveniles were sent to juvenile court, and some were cleared and released without any charges. Ultimately, only nine people made it all the way through the initial court appearances.