Carroll Backs Police, Condemns 'Lawless' Protesters

NORTHBROOK, IL — Illinois State Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) expressed his disappointment in a "well organized and unprovoked attack" against the Chicago Police Department Saturday in Chicago. Violence erupted between police and protesters with 24 people arrested and 17 officers injured during the clash.

"This Saturday, less than a week after hundreds of rioters looted portions of the city's central business district, the women and men of the Chicago Police Department were subjected to a well organized and unprovoked attack while attempting to maintain order during a series of protests downtown," reads a statement signed by Carroll and 14 Democratic colleagues condemning the violence.

The lawmakers point to video of the incident that they say "clearly" shows dozens of individuals forming in groups and charging police lines shortly after they opened umbrellas to disguise their activity. Footage also showed a protestor repeatedly beating an officer with a skateboard.

Activists Accuse Chicago Police Of Attacking Them

Carroll represents the 57th district, located in the Chicago metropolitan area, and includes parts of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Glenview, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Palatine, Prospect Heights and Wheeling.

Other state legislators named in the statement are senators Bill Cunningham, Sara Feigenholtz, Robert Martwick and Tony Munoz; and state Representatives Jaime Andrade, Kelly Burke, John Connor, John D’Amico, Anthony DeLuca, Elizabeth Hernandez, Fran Hurley, Yehiel Kalish, Martin Moylan and Mike Zalewski.

"Peaceful demonstrations are always welcome. In fact, they are beyond welcome, they are an important and justified part of our democratic process that allow Americans to express outrage over incidents of injustice, as was the case after the brutal and senseless murder of George Floyd," the statement continues. "However, violent demonstrations are never justified. Looting, theft, and criminal damage to property are never justified. And unprovoked attacks against police officers are not only unjustified and lawless, they are an attack on all Chicagoans and an insult to those who protest peacefully."