On the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, at least four hotels in the city’s Near West Side received bomb threats containing anti-Semitic statements. This occurred amid ongoing protests by pro-Gaza agitators inside the convention.
According to Fox 32, law enforcement, including officers and police K9 units, began searching the Nobu Hotel just before noon. The threats, which were emailed to the outlet, claimed that pipe bombs had been placed in multiple hotels, including the Hyatt House Chicago, Hotel Chicago, and Nobu Hotel.
The threat specifically mentioned the ongoing DNC in the area and included anti-Semitic rhetoric.
The Chicago Police Department told the New York Post, “The US Secret Service is aware of threats made to various locations in the Downtown area. Law enforcement personnel are screening the affected areas and examining the credibility of the threat.”
On Monday evening, agitators outside the United Center, where the DNC is taking place, breached security barricades that had been set up for the event. The protesters were seen dismantling sections of the fencing and attempting to breach a second barricade.
According to the Chicago Tribune, 13 people were arrested during Monday’s protest. Police sources reported that after investigating the bomb threats, nothing was found, and “the threat was declared not bona fide.” In response, a third line of fencing has been added around the convention area.