Kane County Reporter

11th Congressional District candidate Jerry Evans is condemning displays of antisemitism and violence by protesters near the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago.

“It’s heartbreaking to see protesters openly supporting violence and chanting hate in our backyard,” Evans told Chicago City Wire. “However, I believe that most of these agitators are being brought into Chicago from elsewhere; the citizens of Illinois are kind and open-minded people who do not harbor any antisemitic beliefs.”

Evans expressed his disappointment with President Biden's acknowledgement of the protestors during his DNC speech by saying, "Those protesters out in the street, they have a point."  

“It does not matter what your political ideology is; every decent person should denounce all forms of violence and intimidation,” said Evans. “I was disappointed that President Biden did not take the opportunity to call on those who are creating havoc and unrest to protest peacefully. I believe in the 1st Amendment, but the 1st Amendment does not give anyone the right to break the law.”

Reflecting on the DNC convention, Evans expressed frustration that no speakers have condemned the violence or antisemitism occurring outside the United Center. 

“Millions of Americans watched the Democrat Party’s national convention last night, hoping to hear, at least one of the speakers denounce the violence and antisemitism happening just outside the United Center,” he said. “Unfortunately, the participants did not use the opportunity to call for peaceful protests and denounce any form of antisemitism or hostility.”

Evans also called for legal consequences for those involved in the protests. 

“Anyone who breaks the law, including what we are seeing this week in downtown Chicago, should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he said. “Unfortunately, the media refuses to cover the violence and disgusting behavior of the violent protestors outside the DNC Convention.”

Evans is also urging his opponent, Democratic Congressman Bill Foster, to take a stand. 

“My opponent, Bill Foster, has yet to denounce the violent protestors and stand by our Jewish community here in Illinois,” Evans said. “I call on him to immediately condemn the violent agitators who are destroying downtown Chicago.”

Evans' comments come as independent journalist Andy Ngo reported on Aug. 19 that protests near the United Center saw escalating violence, with video footage revealing demonstrators cutting through security fencing and engaging in disorderly behavior inside the venue. 

Some protesters were seen waving flags supporting Hamas and jihad and making anti-Christian statements. 

The clashes also involved breaches of security barriers and confrontations with law enforcement, including instances of verbal abuse directed at Chicago police. Ngo noted that the swift police response to this unrest stood in contrast to the perceived inaction during the 2020 Black Lives Matter and Antifa protests.

Illinois's 11th Congressional District includes all or parts of Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Boone and Will counties.