Two anti-Israel protesters were arrested Sunday at NASCAR’s second Chicago Street Race after becoming trapped inside a fence for 40 minutes.
Protesters sat on the fence and held signs that read “Pritzker: We condemn genocide” and “Bombs for Gaza, Prisons for Illinois.”
Pritzker was a reference to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who protesters accused of using Illinois’ “state funds to fund Israel’s genocidal campaign.” [in] Palestine.”
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A protester is arrested before the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 race in Chicago on July 7, 2024. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Organizers of the protest released a statement saying the action was taken to denounce “the ongoing program of genocide and mass incarceration by local, state and federal governments.”
The statement also said he criticized NASCAR driver Alon Day, who is Jewish and has publicly voiced support for Israel in its fight against Hamas.
“The organizers also condemn the attempt by Chicago city officials and NASCAR to use the race as a platform for ‘proud Zionist’ driver Alon Day to promote Israel and gain approval for Israel’s genocidal campaign (although Day’s racing skills likely made this an impossible feat),” the statement read. City Bureau’s Grace Del Vecchio.
Israeli NASCAR driver Alon Day to honor hostages at next race, denounce rise in anti-Semitism
Organizers poked fun at the accident that occurred under yellow caution flags during practice on Saturday, destroying Day’s No. 45 Chevrolet Camaro. Day struck a tire barrier and then collided with Justin Allgaier’s stationary car. Day was unaware of the danger and said, “When I got there — on my end — I didn’t hear anything.”
Day recently told Fox News Digital that he wants to do more than just race in Chicago this weekend.
Day, the only Israeli driver in NASCAR, wanted to pay tribute to those still held captive by Hamas following the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks. He drives a Camaro for Alpha Prime Racing and is sponsored by both Jet Support Services Inc. (JSSI) and Setna.IO.
Dey’s car was wrapped in the JSSI brand’s blue and white, the colors of the Israeli flag. As a tribute to those taken captive, the car also had the Hebrew letter “חי” inscribed on it. Unfortunately for him, however, Alpha Prime Racing did not have a back-up car for him, so he was unable to race on Sunday after the accident.
The No. 45 JSSI Chevrolet driven by Aaron Day is towed after crashing during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 110 at the Chicago Street Course on July 6, 2024. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Day said five of his friends are among the 116 people believed to still be held by Hamas.
“I think I’m more motivated than ever. I’ve won the European Championships four times but it’s always been about my own success,” Day said. “Like all of us, we’re human beings. We’re going to do the best we can and we’re going to try to win.” [championships] For ourselves.
“This time, a little [changed] In my mind, it’s not just for myself, but for the whole country, the hostages, and of course [Israeli] “For our soldiers and for the entire Jewish community here in the U.S. My motivation is the war and my friends who are still held hostage. This is what motivates me to go even harder.”
Day also said in an interview with Fox News Digital that he believes anti-Israel agitators have made the city of Chicago dangerous.
“It’s getting really dangerous, especially with the pro-Hamas protests in the streets of Chicago. I was in Chicago for a couple of days about a week ago, and I felt like I had to make sure I wasn’t wearing anything that identified me as Jewish,” he said. “I mean, it’s that bad. It’s like Germany in the 1930s, having to hide that you’re Jewish.”
Protesters holding banners are monitored by an American Medical Response safety team before the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 race 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 all aid to Israel, including to local and state governments,” and denounced Pritzker’s plan to “spend more than $900 million to build two new prisons in Illinois.”
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydas contributed to this report.
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