CHICAGO (NewsNation) — Protests on the second night of the Democratic National Convention ended in arrests after pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed with police during a rally that began outside the Israeli Consulate in Chicago.

The interaction between protesters and police was intense at times, with demonstrators burning the U.S. and Israeli flags outside the consulate, spilling out onto the surrounding streets and forcing a road closure.

Chicago police initially said at least 22 people were arrested during Tuesday evening’s demonstrations. A spokesperson told NewsNation the final count will likely be higher. However, the Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, which provided legal observers for Tuesday’s protests, confirmed that at least 72 people were arrested.

The Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine will hold another protest around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Another is planned for Thursday, the last day of the DNC.

Police, protesters clash in Chicago

Demonstrators had attempted to make an unpermitted march to the city’s United Center to “shut down” Day 2 of the DNC. That’s a roughly 2-mile distance for the demonstration to move.

NewsNation’s Nancy Loo said police in riot gear cleared the media in order to confront the crowds, resulting in clashes and arrests. Counterprotesters on the scene were spotted waving Israeli flags and singing “God Bless America.”

Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli coalitions remained at a standoff, though no violence broke out again in front of the consulate, according to sources at the scene.

Shouts of “Why are you arresting press?” were heard, but it’s unclear whether any media personnel were detained.

Chicago police officials told NewsNation the scene was secured at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A smaller group continued marching westward on the sidewalk, intent on reaching the DNC venue.

Roads surrounding the United Center were reopened to traffic shortly after 10 p.m.

Pro-Israel artists set up exhibits near DNC

Pro-Israel artists have set up installations near the DNC to honor the people taken hostage in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

One piece, called “The One Who Saw It All,” depicts a tree at the Nova Music festival where one assault took place that day. The artist behind the sculpture says the idea for it came by wondering, “What if trees (at the festival) could talk?” He represented what he saw in the days after the attack by making the tree itself burnt to a crisp, with blood dripping from the leaves and rope tied to it.

At least 200 people were at what was deemed “Hostage Square” to look at the art exhibits Tuesday. Among the 250 people kidnapped by Hamas who are being remembered are 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Keith Siegel, 64, and 19-year-old Edan Alexander.

An organizer of the pro-Israel demonstration said seeing the artists come together was a powerful moment.

“People like to debate the political issues, but this is about human beings who are being held hostage and those who have been murdered and their families, and so this brings it home in a very, very personal way,” Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of North America, told NewsNation.

Pro-Palestinian protesters, though, say they are speaking up for the more than 40,000 people killed by Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

“It matters so much to me because I am a Jew, and I was always brought up to believe that never again means never again for anyone ever period — and that’s not what is happening,” said Liano Sharon, a Michigan DNC delegate. “We are continuing to support an ongoing genocide.”

DNC protests so far

More demonstrations from both Israel and Palestine supporters are expected as the DNC continues. On the first official day of the convention Monday, pro-Palestinian protesters breached a small portion of a security fence outside of the DNC in the afternoon.

Chicago Police Department sources say repairs to the fencing are complete, and cameras have been added to keep an eye on the area.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed the breach at a press briefing on the outer perimeter but said they are not linking it with the entirety of the protest.

No major injuries were reported at protests Monday, he said. There were 13 arrests made, with at least 10 connected to the fence, Snelling added. Those arrested were detained on charges ranging from criminal trespass and resisting and obstructing an arrest to aggravated battery of police officers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.