Pro-Palestinian protesters in Chicago were seen attempting to burn an American flag on Tuesday evening, before a man stepped in to try and stop them.
Hundreds marched in the city’s downtown as the second night of the Democratic National Convention was underway a few miles away. After starting at the Israeli Consulate, protesters calling for the U.S. to withdraw its support for Israel in the war in Gaza moved through the streets.
A mixed Israel-American flag was thrown onto the street and set on fire. As it burned, someone threw an American flag on top of it.
In a video Brendan Gutenschwager posted on X, formerly Twitter, a man is seen trying to grab the American flag. Protesters then shoved him away
“Don’t burn the American flag,” the man said. “It’s our country … You guys are the enemy.”
A protester then is heard screaming, “burn it down.” After the man walked away, the protesters lit the flag on fire.
“This is what we think of your f—-ing flag,” one person said as the flag burned. “The only acceptable American flag is one that is burned to char.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
AP Photo/Alex Brandon