Earlier this month, Shabbir Rizvi, an organizer for the Anti-War Committee Chicago, was caught on video leading a group of 80 activists in Chicago to chant “Death to Israel” and “Death to America” in Farsi. Rizvi has a history of supporting Iran and expressing anti-Israel views. The incident occurred during a planning session for protests to disrupt the Democratic National Convention in August. Rizvi has been linked to outlets such as Iran’s Press TV and Al Mayadeen, both of which have ties to Iran and Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization.
Rizvi’s writings for Al Mayadeen and Press TV have espoused anti-Israel and anti-U.S. ideologies, framing groups like Hamas and Hezbollah as part of a “resistance.” However, experts note that these groups use the term “resistance” as propaganda to justify their goal of eliminating Israel. Rizvi’s comments on Iran’s April strike on Israel were met with criticism from the United Nations Human Rights Office for potential violations of international law. After videos of his chants went viral, Rizvi appears to have scrubbed his social media presence, and several groups have highlighted his anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiments.
Canary Mission, an organization that exposes anti-Israel and anti-Semitic individuals, uncovered archived tweets and press appearances from Rizvi that demonstrate his hostility towards Israel. Rizvi has made claims that Israel has plans to conquer and kill people in neighboring countries, echoing conspiracy theories that demonize Israelis and dehumanize them. His statements have drawn concern from experts, who point to the dangers of spreading false narratives and stoking hatred towards certain groups.
Protests against Israel have been on the rise in Chicago, particularly in response to the conflict in Gaza. Rizvi and other activists plan to protest against Israel at the upcoming Democratic National Convention, despite initial rejections from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. The coalition of protesters has sued the city to secure a permit for their march, with one protester referring to President Biden as “Genocide Joe Biden” for his perceived inaction. The rise of anti-Israel sentiments in Chicago has coincided with a spike in anti-Semitic incidents in Illinois, as reported by the ADL.
Rizvi’s online statements and public appearances have sparked controversy and condemnation from various groups and experts. His advocacy for Iran and anti-Israel rhetoric has drawn scrutiny for its potentially dangerous implications and promotion of hatred. As protests against Israel continue to gain momentum in Chicago, concerns about rising anti-Semitism and tensions between different groups persist. The clash of ideologies and political stances underscores the complex and volatile nature of the issues at hand.
