Protest in Chicago: Charges dropped against 80 pro-Palestinian protesters after arrests at Art Institute of Chicago camp

CHICAGO (WLS) — Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters were released on Tuesday after charges against them were dropped following their arrest in May.

Now some local politicians are worried that this sends the wrong message, with the Democratic National Convention just a month away.

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There was a huge embrace as the 80 people left the courthouse free of all charges.

“None of us showed up for arrest. I did not show up for arrest,” said protester Jeffery Sun. “We are trying everything we can because of the ongoing genocide in Palestine.”

Sun is one of 80 protesters who had charges dropped after being arrested for trespassing while setting up camp at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The Art Institute announced earlier this summer that it would not pursue criminal charges against its students. And prosecutors cited the students’ peaceful protest policy as a reason for dropping the charges. But others say this sends the wrong message.

“There is no doubt that crimes were committed during this illegal encampment. There was trespassing. There was a refusal to disperse and obey lawful orders. There was vandalism and assault. Several police officers were physically assaulted,” said 2nd District Chief Brian Hopkins.

SEE MORE: Art Institute of Chicago drops charges against 68 people arrested during pro-Palestinian protests

Hopkins said he is working with the Secret Service and Chicago police to prepare for the Democratic National Convention, where many protests are expected.

“They need to be prosecuted. If we are not prepared to do that, then we are saying as a society that we are prepared to let protesters do whatever they want, regardless of the harm they cause,” Hopkins said.

“They had no charges against us. I think on some level they just didn’t want to deal with what it means to protest against genocide,” Sun said.

Daniel Goldwin, executive director of the Jewish United Fund, said he believes in free speech but is concerned that protesters are going too far after witnessing places like Buckingham Fountain being vandalized recently.

“If they have a place and a location that the government has designated, ‘here is an appropriate place to speak out and be heard,’ then they should go there,” Goldwin said. “But there are rules. And there are limits to what is allowed under free speech.”

Those against whom charges were dropped said they had planned a protest rally in Millennium Park on July 4.