Schumer condemns antisemitism, blames Trump while anti-Israel agitators burn US flag outside DNC

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Anti-Israel demonstrators burn American flag outside Chicago consulate on 2nd night of DNC

The scene came just two miles from the United Center where celebratory roll call for Kamala Harris was taking place inside.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., condemned antisemitism during his speech on the second night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), while anti-Israel agitators raged near the arena, leading to dozens of arrests.

Even so, Schumer's speech chiefly took aim at former President Trump as a source of anti-Jewish rhetoric in American politics.

"As the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in American history, I want my grandkids — and all grandkids — to never face discrimination because of who they are," Schumer said.

While the senator was delivering his speech, pro-Hamas rioters were burning the American flag outside the United Center in Chicago.

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Sen. Chuck Schumer speaks while anti-Israel agitators protest in Chicago. (Reuters/Mike Segar | AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

However, Schumer took aim at former President Trump in his remarks, casting the GOP presidential nominee as a significant culprit in American politics for furthering antisemitism.

"But Donald Trump, this is a guy who peddles antisemitic stereotypes. He even invited a white supremacist to Mar-a-Lago. But unfortunately, his prejudice goes in all directions: he fuels Islamophobia, and issued a Muslim ban as President. Tonight folks, I am wearing this blue square, to stand up against antisemitism, to stand up to all hate," he said. 

"Our children, our grandchildren — no matter their race or creed or gender or family — deserve better than Donald Trump’s American carnage."

ANTI-ISRAEL DEMONSTRATORS BURN AMERICAN FLAG OUTSIDE CHICAGO CONSULATE ON 2ND NIGHT OF DNC

Pro-Hamas demonstrators clash with police in front of the Consulate General of Israel in Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. The protests are timed to coincide with the Democratic National Convention in the Windy City. (Fox News Digital)

Meanwhile, the backdrop of Schumer's remarks came as just under two miles from the convention center, anti-Israel demonstrators burned an American flag and chanted "Free Palestine" outside a building in Chicago that houses the Israeli consulate. Protesters were against U.S. support for Israel and other progressive causes.  

On Wednesday, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling announced the arrests of at least 55 individuals he described as having shown up outside the consulate intent on "committing acts of violence" and "vandalism." 

"As the Chicago Police Department, we did everything that we could to de-escalate that situation," Snelling told the news media. "But there’s only so much de-escalation that you can attempt before it becomes excessive repetition."

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Pro-Hamas demonstrators gather in front of the Consulate General of Israel in Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Fox News Digital)

Israel supporters, including some relatives of people kidnapped by Hamas, gathered earlier in the day at a pro-Israel art installation not far from the consulate to call on U.S. leaders to continue backing Israel and pushing for the release of hostages. 

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More protests are planned throughout the week, but attendance at the main rally on Monday was far below estimates of organizers who had predicted more than 20,000 would show up.

Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz and Michael Ruiz as well as the Associated Press contributed to this report.