Pro-Palestinian protesters blocking the Loop Road were arrested

Nearly a dozen pro-Palestinian protesters who blocked part of Franklin Street on Saturday afternoon were taken into custody, Chicago police said.

According to police, protesters blocked Franklin Street between Monroe Street and Arcade Place at around 2:41 p.m.

About half an hour later, police began arresting protesters for “illegally blocking the road” after being told three times to disperse.

The demonstration took place after the Buckingham Fountain was painted red and witnesses said they saw messages such as “Gaza is bleeding” and “Stop the genocide” spray-painted on the ground around the fountain.