Pro-Palestinian activists stage sit-in at Jewish congresswoman's Skokie office, 7 arrested

SKOKIE, Ill. - Pro-Palestinian activists organized a sit-in Thursday at the Skokie office of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky to voice their concerns.

Schakowsky, who is a Jewish American, has described herself as a supporter and friend of Israel. However, the activist group has criticized her for not advocating for Palestinian rights.

Around 3:05 p.m., Skokie police say officers responded to the congresswoman's office and encountered 25 individuals peacefully protesting. Police told the demonstrators that once the building closed at 5 p.m., they would have to leave.

At 5:30 p.m., police announced a first dispersal order. Two more orders were announced with the final coming at 5:42 p.m. However, seven individuals remained on the scene. At that time, they were taken to the Skokie Police Department and issued citations for criminal trespass. They are due back in court on Dec. 5.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

The demonstration came amid escalating violence in the Middle East. Israeli forces are preparing for the next phase of the conflict, launching additional airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in an effort to dismantle Hamas strongholds. In the latest wave of airstrikes, a mosque in the Gaza Strip was targeted.

In response to the intensifying violence in the region, the U.S. State Department has issued a rare worldwide alert to Americans abroad. The last time such an alert was released was in August 2022 following threats from an Al-Qaeda leader. This alert urges Americans to exercise caution when attending demonstrations and protests overseas.