Dupage Policy Journal

3rd Congressional District candidate John Booras has voiced strong criticism on the recent protests at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, where demonstrators were reported to support Hamas, display anti-Christian sentiment and engage in verbal abuse and violent confrontations with police.

“We are a nation with the ‘rule of law,' generally meaning that no one is above the law,” Booras told DuPage Policy Journal. “Anyone, irrespective of cause, needs to be held accountable to all our laws, local and national. Any person who violates the law should be arrested and prosecuted according to law as written. This needs to include protesters and foreign nationals. Disrespect is a social issue and repugnant to me, such as the verbal abuse of police officers.”

Booras emphasized that elected officials have a duty to uphold the Constitution and the law. 

“All elected officials swear an oath of allegiance to uphold the constitution and the law,” he said. “It is clearly incumbent on any elected, sworn officer of government to condemn violations of law or our constitution. This is non-negotiable.”

He further asserted that adherence to law and basic dignity should transcend political affiliations. 

“Without regard to any political lens, my comments are about law, duty and basic dignity for our nation,” Booras explained. “Anyone who does not uphold these principles irrespective of their political ideology should be held accountable for dereliction of duty.”

Booras also called for a return to fundamental principles of law and order, highlighting the perceived loss of integrity among both citizens and officials. 

“The test is simple: do a person's actions violate law, the constitution, or their sworn oath?” he said. “Integrity appears to have been lost on large swaths of our population, both citizens and elected/sworn officials. The only possible solution is a return to the basic principles of law and order.”

Meanwhile, the pro-Palestine protests outside the United Center were acknowledged by President Joe Biden During his Democratic National Convention speech on Aug. 20. 

“Those protesters out in the street, they have a point,” Biden said. 

Independent journalist Andy Ngo reported escalating violence during protests near the United Center where the convention is taking place. 

On Aug. 19, Ngo shared footage showing demonstrators cutting through fencing around the United Center and engaging in disorderly conduct inside the convention venue.

In video posted to X, protesters were seen waving flags supporting Hamas and jihad, while others made anti-Christian remarks. 

The demonstrations, videos of which have been widely shared on social media, have drawn attention for their intensity and the involvement of controversial figures.

The situation intensified as protesters breached security barriers and clashed with law enforcement outside of the DNC. Video evidence captured the chaotic scenes, including verbal abuse directed at Chicago police officers. 

Ngo noted the swift police response to the unrest, contrasting it with the perceived inaction during the 2020 Black Lives Matter and Antifa protests.

Critics have compared the recent events to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, where a small police force was overwhelmed by activists. 

Former U.S. Capitol Police Lieutenant Tarik Johnson has described the Capitol incident as a “set-up and…an enormous size cover-up,” highlighting the disparity in law enforcement responses.

Booras will face incumbent U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL) in the Nov. 5 general election for Illinois's 3rd congressional district which includes parts of Cook and DuPage counties. 

The district includes the communities of Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Burbank, Chicago Ridge, Countryside, Forest View, Hickory Hills, Hodgkins, Hometown, Indian Head Park, Justice, La Grange, La Grange Park, Lyons, McCook, Merrionette Park, Oak Lawn, Palos Hills, Riverside, Stickney, Summit, and nearly all of Berwyn, Brookfield, Western Springs, and Willow Springs. It also includes parts of Alsip, Burr Ridge, Cicero, Darien, Hillside, North Riverside, Orland Hills, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Westchester, and Worth.