Lake County Gazette

The Chicago Jewish Alliance is warning residents after protest in Highland Park outside U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider's (R-IL) house led by pro-Palestine protestors required police disbursement. 

"A Pro terror march at 3AM ON SHABBAT in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood?!" Chicago Jewish Alliance posted on X. "This happened in Highland Park, Illinois last night. Wake up people. They are coming for Jews wherever they might be!"

The Highland Park Police Department was notified of multiple noise complaints at 2:43 a.m. on Saturday morning. Neighbors called to complain about a group of roughly 40 protestors outside the home of Schneider with banners and signs, shouting pro-Palestine chants and using noisemakers and loudspeakers. 

A report from Rep. Schneider's office also detailed some red liquid, potentially animal blood, was poured on the sidewalk. 

The protest was posted by on Instagram by an account called "Direct Actions for Palestine" in which they wrote that the protestors were demanding Schneider refund the UNRWA. Pro-Palestinian accounts for American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) were tagged in the post.

Police officers began de-escalation efforts to disperse the crowd, requesting additional units to come help with the situation at 3 a.m. Reports say all protestors left the seen by 3:15 a.m., although social media videos show some still on scene at 3:18 a.m. and police stayed at the site for an additional two hours for their investigation and to protect the residents. 

"It's unfortunate that instead of seeking a constructive dialogue with Congressman Schneider, a group of people hiding their faces chose to taunt and intimidate a predominantly Jewish neighborhood on the Jewish Sabbath in the middle of the night," a representative from Schneider's office said. "It's even more disturbing they chose to harass a community that is preparing to commemorate the second anniversary of the Highland Park mass shooting, a shared tragedy that was spurred by hate. The Congressman is always happy to meet and sit down with anyone. I encourage those who disagree with his views to seek a conversation in the daylight rather than disturbing and traumatizing families in the darkness of night."