Man, 21, is accused of shoving, slapping CPD officer at University of Chicago pro-Palestine rally

Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune on Oct 12, 2024

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CHICAGO — Authorities have accused a Florida man of shoving and slapping a Chicago police officer during a contentious pro-Palestine rally at the University of Chicago Friday.

A Chicago police officer attempting to disperse a group of protesters who surrounded a U. of C. police squad car said he felt someone — who was later identified as Manuel Rivera — shove him, kick him in the legs and strike him with an open hand on the left side of his face, according to an arrest report.

Rivera, of Venice, Florida, was charged with Class 2 aggravated battery to a police officer. He was granted pretrial release during a Saturday detention hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building but must report to adult probation.

Authorities said that while the police officer detained Rivera, an unknown woman hit him in an attempt to free Rivera. The report stated the woman also hit another officer who attempted to pull her away, striking her on the right side of the face, causing her glasses to fall off, and giving her bruises on both arms.

Rivera was then able to escape and flee southbound, and cops ran after him on foot, according to the report. The officer Rivera is accused of assaulting struck him twice on the leg with a baton, but Rivera continued to flee, the report stated.

A bystander tripped Rivera by putting their leg out, causing him to fall to the ground, authorities said. Rivera was then arrested at 3:40 p.m.

University officials didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Court documents noted that Rivera had no previous misdemeanor or felony convictions.

The case was transferred to Branch 38 felony court on the Far South Side. Rivera returns to court on Thursday.

Two other protesters were also arrested during the Hyde Park rally, which came just days after the anniversary of the start of the Israel-Hamas war. University officials said protesters used locks to block access to campus through a gate on East 57th Street, spray-painted buildings and public art near the intersection of South Ellis Avenue and 57th Street, blocked public roads, physically surrounded a police car and struck officers who responded.

UChicago United for Palestine, a group committed to Palestinian liberation, hosted the rally, according to the school’s student newspaper, although it’s unclear whether those arrested were with the group. They couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Saturday afternoon. The paper said some 200 protestors were at the rally, and around 50 officers, some who used pepper spray and batons.

Along with other Chicago-area universities, U. of C. revised its protest guidelines this year, barring overnight encampments but allowing for spontaneous and unregistered demonstrations without new time or place restrictions. Two days after announcing this policy, the school received a $100 million donation to support free expression.