Several pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at DNC convention
Several protesters were arrested during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the Democratic Party Convention.
CHACAGO – Chicago police and the FBI are investigating whether saboteurs placed bugs in a hotel breakfast served to delegates at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday.
“Several unknown perpetrators are said to have entered a building … and began placing unknown objects on tables with food,” said a statement from the conference’s information center. “The perpetrators are said to have then left the area. One victim was treated on site and released. In addition to the CPD, the FBI-Chicago is assisting with the investigation.”
A witness told USA TODAY that the animals appeared to be crickets, while other reports suggested they were maggots.
The incident occurred at the Fairmont Hotel, where delegates from Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri and South Dakota are staying.
“We all came down to breakfast, and there were these two women hiding in the bathroom,” Indiana state Delegate Karen Tallian told USA TODAY. “And they ran out and threw maggots into the breakfast buffet.” Tallian, a retired state senator, said friends who had arrived in the dining room before her saw the contamination.
The incident was the latest example of ongoing efforts to disrupt the convention, which have included multiple bomb threats outside hotels housing delegates and other participants. Fox32-TV reported that the threats were directed at at least three hotels.
“We investigated every single threat yesterday, and today we have more to come,” said Derek Mayer, Secret Service assistant special agent in charge, at a press conference Wednesday morning.
Nobody took responsibility for the scandal at the breakfast buffet.
“All Americans have the right to peaceful protest, but ugly attacks like this have no place in our democracy,” said Sam Barloga, spokesman for the Indiana Democratic Party. “We thank the security team for their quick response.”
The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m.
“We can confirm that a group of individuals caused disruption at a DNC-related breakfast event at our hotel this morning. We are grateful for the quick response from law enforcement,” Fairmont Chicago officials said in a statement. “Our team acted immediately to clean and disinfect the area, allowing the event to continue without further incident. We maintain the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness throughout our property and have strict protocols in place to manage disruptions.”
When she arrived for breakfast at 7:45 a.m., Indiana State Rep. Carolyn Jackson said, “everything was new on the table.”
WGN first reported on the investigation.
Contributors: Medora Lee, USA TODAY; Brittany Carloni, Indianapolis Star
