33 pro-Palestinians arrested in Chicago for blocking street outside company that sells to Israeli firms

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators block the road outside Woodward MPC in Chicago on February 7, 2024. (Screen capture/X)
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators block the road outside Woodward MPC in Chicago on February 7, 2024. (Screen capture/X)

NILES, Ill. (AP) — Police in suburban Chicago arrested 33 people Wednesday after they blocked streets for more than six hours outside a company protesters say has a role in the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza.

Seven men and 26 women were charged with misdemeanor unlawful assembly following the protest outside Woodward MPC, the Niles Police Department said in a news release. The company’s website says it makes products for the aerospace and industrial markets.

The protesters called on Woodward to cease sales to Israeli security firms.

The 33 protesters were released after being booked, police said, and there were no injuries.

About 100 people participated in the protest, WBBM-TV reported.

A call to Woodward MPC for comment was met with a receptionist saying “We have no comment” before she hung up.

Many of the far-left protesters covered their faces with COVID masks, even though they were outside in an apparent attempt to hide their identities.

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