U.S. Representative Brad Schneider’s office in Washington D.C. was vandalized in what he called a “vile act of hate” just days after dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters descended on his Highland Park home.
Schneider said Friday that his Capitol office was vandalized on Thursday.
The posters of the more than 100 people still held hostage in Gaza, including 8 Americans, were “ripped from the wall, shredded and tossed” across the hallway.
“This was a shameful act on any day, but especially on July 4, our country’s Independence Day. Sadly, it was but one of many hateful, un-American actions that took place across the country on the day we celebrate freedom and democracy,” Schneider said, adding that the incident was a “vile act of hate.”
“I’ve been disgusted by the videos and reports of individuals calling July 4th a “terrorist holiday” and burning American flags,” he said.
Last Saturday, the Highland Park Police Department responded around 2:43 a.m. to the area of Woodland Road and St. Johns Avenue for a noise complaint of people shouting.
Officers arrived in four minutes and observed approximately 40 protestors gathered in the roadway.
Protestors carried banners and shouted pro-Palestinian and antisemitic chants using loudspeakers and drums, city officials said.
A video shared with Lake and McHenry County Scanner showed the large crowd walking down the roadway toward Schneider’s residence, which is located on Woodland Road east of St. Johns Avenue.
Schneider said the group was masked, banging on drums, blowing horns and screaming antisemitic chants.
Officers began de-escalation and dispersal of the crowd.
City officials said officers followed procedure for the management of a crowd of this size.
They established a perimeter around the protesting group to ensure the safety of neighbors in the area who were outside.
Officers communicated with the event organizer and provided information about city regulations regarding noise and safe assembly, city officials said.
Police called for additional officers to the scene by 3 a.m. to assist with management and coordination for the dispersal of the crowd. No arrests were made.
All protestors had departed the scene by 3:15 a.m. Officers remained on the scene for approximately two additional hours to complete an investigation and to ensure the safety of residents.
“Public safety is the City’s top priority. The City can and will strictly enforce all of its public safety, noise, nuisance, and disturbance of the peace ordinances,” city officials said.
“The City unequivocally condemns antisemitism and all acts of hate, standing in solidarity with our Jewish community,” the city said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Schneider said in a statement that it was “unfortunate” that the group of people “hiding their faces chose to taunt and intimidate a predominantly Jewish neighborhood on the Jewish Sabbath in the middle of the night” instead of seeking constructive dialogue with the congressman.
“It’s even more disturbing they chose to harass a community that is preparing to commemorate the second anniversary of the Highland Park mass shooting, a shared tragedy that was spurred by hate,” the spokesperson said earlier this week.
“The Congressman is always happy to meet and sit down with anyone. I encourage those who disagree with his views to seek a conversation in the daylight rather than disturbing and traumatizing families in the darkness of night,” the statement said.