Chicago protest: 80 pro-Palestinian protesters have their charges dropped after being arrested at an encampment at the Art Institute of Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters were released on Tuesday after charges against them were dropped following their arrests in May.

Now, some local leaders worry it sends the wrong message, just a month before the Democratic National Convention.

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It was all a cuddle after 80 people left the courthouse, free of any charges.

“None of us showed up to be arrested. I didn’t show up to be arrested,” said protester Jeffery Sun. “We’re doing everything we can because of the ongoing genocide in Palestine.”

Sun is one of 80 protesters whose charges were dropped after he was arrested for criminal trespassing while setting up an encampment at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The Art Institute said earlier this summer that it would not pursue charges against its students. The state attorney's office cited their policy of peaceful protest as the reason for dropping the charges. But others say that sends the wrong message.

“There is no doubt that crimes were committed during this illegal encampment, there was criminal trespassing. There was a refusal to disperse and follow lawful orders. There was vandalism, there was assault. Multiple police officers were physically assaulted,” said 2nd Ward Councilman Brian Hopkins.

SEE MORE: Art Institute of Chicago drops charges against 68 people arrested at pro-Palestinian protest

Hopkins said he was working with the Secret Service and Chicago police to prepare for the Democratic National Convention, where widespread protests are expected.

“They need to be prosecuted. If we’re not prepared to do that, then we as a society are saying we’re prepared to let the protesters do whatever they want, regardless of the harm they’re causing,” Hopkins said.

“They didn’t have an accusation against us; I think at some level they just didn’t want to really engage in thinking about what it means to protest genocide,” Sun said.

Daniel Goldwin, executive director of the Jewish United Fund, said he believes in free speech, but after seeing places like the Buckingham Fountain vandalized recently, he worries the protesters are going too far.

“If they have a place and a location that the government has established, ‘Here is an appropriate place for you to express your opinion and be heard,’ then they should go,” Goldwin said. “But there are rules. And there are limits to what is allowed under free speech.”

Those whose charges were dropped said a protest was planned for July 4 at Millennium Park.