Illinois protesters were understandably alarmed after a tense demonstration involving far-right activist Jake Lang took another disturbing turn, with video appearing to show a person inside Lang’s departing caravan pointing a gun as witnesses urgently tried to alert police. “Hey, he’s got a weapon on him — look at him,” one person can be heard shouting in the 21-second clip, before another warns, “He’s pointing a [expletive] gun.”
The 21-second snippet of footage was captured on a counterprotester’s body camera on Sunday, October 4, as Lang and his supporters were being escorted away from a demonstration outside Palestine Fest at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. The video appears to show a person inside one of the departing vehicles holding and pointing a gun while counterprotesters alert officers nearby. The person who recorded the footage claims the weapon was later pointed directly at them as the vehicle passed.
The confrontation unfolded during Palestine Fest, an annual celebration of Palestinian culture held at SeatGeek Stadium. Lang had organized an opposing demonstration outside the event, with NBC Chicago reporting that hundreds of counterprotesters ultimately gathered in response. Police established separate areas for the opposing groups and maintained a heavy presence as tensions grew throughout the day.
The alarming moment came amid an already chaotic scene between Lang’s supporters, counterprotesters and law enforcement. NBC Chicago reported that police worked to keep the opposing groups separated as tensions escalated outside the festival. Two people required medical treatment after being struck by projectiles, while two law enforcement officers suffered minor injuries. No arrests were made, according to Bridgeview Mayor Steven Landek…