Pro-Palestinian demonstration takes place in middle of the night outside Rep. Schneider’s home in Highland Park

A group of approximately 40 pro-Palestinian protestors demonstrated outside of U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider’s Highland Park home in the middle of the night Friday to Saturday, according to a press release from the City of Highland Park.

The protest drew a police response beginning at 2:47 a.m. June 29 on Woodland Road near Highland Park’s Ravinia neighborhood. The city says the protestors, who reportedly were gathered on the street and sidewalk, left by 3:15 a.m. No arrests or physical altercations were reported.

A City spokesperson said police were responding to violations of the town’s nuisance ordinance and remained on scene for an additional two hours after protestors dispersed.

“Public safety is the City’s top priority,” the City’s statement reads. “The City can and will strictly enforce all of its public safety, noise, nuisance, and disturbance of the peace ordinances. The City will be conducting additional patrols in neighborhoods and implementing a close watch on houses of worship.”

The City received reports of antisemitic language; however, details of that language were unclear by press time (3 p.m. Saturday, June 29).

According to the City, the protestors were using loudspeakers and drums.

Once on the scene, police reportedly established a perimeter around the protestors and engaged with organizers in attempts to de-escalate.

Schneider is in his fifth term and fourth consecutive term as representative of Illinois’ 10th district. He and his family moved from Deerfield to Highland Park in 2022.

Schneider’s press secretary Cait McNamee provided a statement on the congressman’s behalf.

“It’s unfortunate that, instead of seeking a constructive dialogue with Congressman Schneider, a 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,” the statement says. “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 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.”

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