Lake County Gazette

10th Congressional District candidate Jim Carris is condemning recent comments made by President Joe Biden regarding the pro-Palestinian protesters who clashed with police during the Democratic National Committee (DNC) events in Chicago. 

During his Democratic National Convention speech in Chicago, President Biden acknowledged the pro-Palestinian protesters. 

“Those protesters out in the street, they have a point,” Biden said. 

Carris described the President's remarks as “dangerously dismissive” of the serious issues surrounding the demonstrations.

“I am deeply disturbed by President Biden’s recent comments during his DNC speech, where he suggested that the pro-Palestinian protesters in Chicago ‘have a point,’” Carris said in a statement provided to North Cook News. “These remarks are dangerously dismissive of the antisemitism, harassment, and intimidation tactics employed by these protesters.”

Carris expressed further concern over the perceived inaction from Congressman Brad Schneider, who represents a district with a significant Jewish population. 

“It is especially concerning that Congressman Brad Schneider, who represents a district with a significant Jewish population, remains silent on this rhetoric,” Carris said. “Our constituents deserve a representative who will unequivocally condemn acts of intimidation and stand firmly with those who are being targeted. With innocent lives still held hostage, and a lack of urgency by this administration and Congressman to bring them home, our leaders must not waver in their commitment to protect all communities, especially in times of heightened tension.”

Carris is challenging the incumbentSchneider (D-IL) in Illinois’ 10th District which includes a large portion of northern Cook County, along with parts of Lake and McHenry counties including the communities of Winnetka, Glencoe, Kenilworth, Northbrook, Wheeling, Antioch, Fox Lake, Lake Villa, Grayslake, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Waukegan, Highland Park, North Chicago, Park City, Lake Forest, Gurnee, Zion, Libertyville, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Spring Grove, Richmond, Hebron, Wonder Lake and Johnsburg.

Independent journalist Andy Ngo, known for his coverage of leftist protests, has also scrutinized Biden's comments. 

“Joe Biden in his DNC speech said the protesters outside ‘have a point.’ I’m not sure what point he is referring to considering they expressed support for terrorism, terrorist groups, and political violence,” Ngo said on X. “And they tried to storm the convention.”

Ngo reported that some participants in the protests displayed flags supporting Hamas and jihad, while others were filmed making anti-Christian remarks. 

On Aug. 19, Ngo posted videos of rioters cutting through fencing erected outside the United Center as well as instances of disorder inside the convention. 

In demonstrations near the DNC, violent clashes erupted as protesters breached security barriers and engaged in confrontations with law enforcement. 

The unrest, which has been captured in various videos posted on social media, has drawn attention for its intensity and the involvement of controversial figures.

Tensions escalated further when demonstrators were seen verbally abusing Chicago police officers.

Ngo contrasted the swift police response to the recent unrest with the 2020 riots, suggesting that the immediate action taken by law enforcement at the DNC was in stark contrast to the perceived inaction during the Black Lives Matter and Antifa protests of that year. 

Critics drew comparisons to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, where a small police force was overwhelmed by activists, a situation described by former U.S. Capitol Police Lieutenant Tarik Johnson as a "set-up and…an enormous size cover-up."