Two anti-Israel protesters were arrested Sunday at the second annual NASCAR street race in Chicago after barricading themselves inside a fence for 40 minutes.
The protesters held up a sign that read: “[Pritzker]We accuse them of genocide and bombs for Gaza, prisons for Illinois while sitting on top of the fence.
Pritzker is referring to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who protesters criticized for using Illinois “state dollars” to fund Israel's genocidal campaign. [in] Palestine.”
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Protesters are arrested before the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 in Chicago on July 7, 2024. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Protest organizers issued a statement saying the event was held to condemn “the ongoing agenda of genocide and mass incarceration by local, state and federal governments.”
The statement also said it condemned NASCAR driver Alon Day, who is Jewish and has publicly shown support for Israel in its war against Hamas.
“Organizers also condemn the attempt by Chicago city officials and NASCAR to manufacture consent for Israel's mass death campaign by using the race as a stage for Israeli propaganda by 'proud Zionist driver' Alon Day (although it appears Day's racing skills have made this attempt an uphill battle),” the statement read, according to Grace Del Vecchio of the City Bureau.
Israeli NASCAR driver Alon Day to pay tribute to hostages at upcoming race, condemns rising anti-semitism
Day was mocked by organizers for wrecking his No. 45 Chevy Camaro after a crash under a caution flag during a practice session Saturday. Day crashed into Justin Allgaier's stalled vehicle after a previous collision with a tire barrier. Day was unaware of the danger and “when I got there, I mean, on my side, I couldn't hear anything.”
Day recently spoke to Fox News Digital about how he hoped to do more than just compete in Chicago this weekend.
Day, the only Israeli driver in NASCAR, wanted to pay tribute to those still held captive by Hamas after the October 7 terror attacks. He drove his Camaro for Alpha Prime Racing, with Jet Support Services inc. (JSSI) and Setna iO as two of the sponsors.
Day's car was painted in the JSSI brand's blue and white livery, which are the colors of the Israeli flag. The car also had the Hebrew word for life, חי, on it, in tribute to those who were held captive. But unfortunately for him, he was unable to race on Sunday after the accident because Alpha Prime Racing did not have a spare car for him.
The No. 45 JSSI Chevrolet driven by Alon Day is towed after crashing during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 110 at Chicago Street Course on July 6, 2024. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Day said he has five friends who are among the 116 people believed to still be held captive by Hamas.
“I think I'm more motivated than ever. I've won the Euros four times and I've always done it for my own success,” Day said. “Like all of us, we're human. We try to be the best we can be. We try to win.” [championships] for us.
“I think this time something a little [changed] in me – doing that not just for myself but actually for the whole country, for the hostages, obviously for the [Israeli] “The soldiers, the Jewish community in general here in the United States… I'm motivated by something else, the war, my friends who are still kidnapped. This is what really drives me to strive to do even better.”
Day also said in the interview with Fox News Digital that he believes anti-Israel rioters made the streets of Chicago dangerous.
“The pro-Hamas protests on the streets, especially on the streets of Chicago, are getting really dangerous. I was there a couple of days, about a week ago, and I felt the need to check that I wasn't wearing anything that would identify me as Jewish,” he said. “It's that bad. It's like Germany in the 1930s, when I need to hide my Jewishness.”
American Medical Response security team watches protesters display a banner before the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Course on July 7, 2024. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
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The protest organizers also demanded that “President Joe Biden call for a permanent ceasefire and that the United States cut off all aid to Israel, including to local and state governments” and condemned Pritzker’s plan to spend “more than $900 million to build two new prisons in Illinois.”
Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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