The “No Kings” rally and march in the Loop on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump and his policies brought together a large crowd, but fortunately, no major incidents were reported. Businesses took precautions by hiring board-up crews ahead of the event, but their services were not needed.
One notable incident from a previous protest on Thursday involved a 21-year-old man from the suburbs who was arrested for allegedly possessing a firearm while impersonating a police officer. As of midday Saturday, he had not been charged with any wrongdoing.
Further details have emerged about the 17 protesters who were arrested during a separate protest on Tuesday. The most serious charges were related to physical altercations with police officers during the downtown event.
Asnat Berestizhevsky, 27, allegedly threw water bottles at police officers, with one bottle hitting a CPD police sergeant. She was also found to match the description of someone who vandalized a CPD squad car with graffiti. Berestizhevsky faces charges of felony criminal damage, misdemeanor battery, and resisting arrest.
Natalie Copeland, 20, is charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery of a peace officer for throwing an “unknown liquid” at two uniformed officers near State and Washington during the protest.
Yony Salgado, 33, became aggressive towards officers and spat on an officer’s face while they were trying to control the crowd. Johnathan Ellison, 37, threw a bottle containing an “unknown liquid” at an officer, resulting in charges of felony aggravated battery.
Jordan Schnitz, 33, struck a CPD sergeant in the face with a protest poster and resisted arrest. Joel Perez, 22, engaged in reckless conduct by advancing aggressively towards officers during the protest.
Noor Soufan, 31, repeatedly tried to breach the police line, yelling profanities and physically assaulting officers. Additional protesters who were arrested face charges including reckless conduct, resisting arrest, criminal defacement, and obstructing law enforcement.
It is evident that tensions were high during these protests, leading to confrontations between protesters and law enforcement. The individuals involved now face legal consequences for their actions. The protests serve as a reminder of the ongoing social and political divisions in our society that continue to spark public demonstrations and calls for change.
