The FBI and Chicago police are investigating after reports that a breakfast prepared for DNC delegates was contaminated with maggots. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at the Fairmont Chicago hotel, a law enforcement source told WGN.
Authorities said maggots were placed on breakfast tables containing food by a group who had entered the Fairmont Chicago around 6:45 am. It's unclear if any DNC delegates consumed the contaminated food, but police said at least one person was treated at the scene, per the Chicago Sun-Times.
The maggot-laced food was immediately removed from the room, and the area was sanitized, said Fairmont Chicago spokeswoman Haley Robles.
"We can confirm that a group of individuals caused a disruption at a DNC-related breakfast event at our hotel this morning. Our team acted immediately to clean and sanitize the area, ensuring that the event could continue without further incident," said Robles. "We maintain the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness throughout our property and have strict protocols in place to handle any disruptions."
DNC delegates were aghast over the insect attack as Illinois state troopers and Chicago police officers gathered in the Fairmont Hotel lobby near conference rooms. Indiana delegate Tracy Boyd told WGN: "They [police] protected us, of course, and turned it around in minutes."
"I really do want to give a shout-out to the hotel staff and leadership," Boyd said, who explained her group was notified that breakfast would be delayed over the incident.
Police sources told the local paper that it appeared the maggots were brought into the hotel by a group seeking to send a message. An FBI evidence response team was parked outside the hotel shortly after, as reported by WGN.
"Multiple unknown female offenders are alleged to have entered a building (200 block of North Columbus Drive) and began placing unknown objects onto tables containing food. The offenders are believed to have then left the area. One victim was treated and released on scene. Along with CPD, FBI-Chicago is assisting in the investigation. No futher information is available at this time," said a Chicago PD spokesperson.
Sam Barloga, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Indiana, condemned the vile attack and said: "All Americans have the right to peaceful protest, but ugly attacks like this have no place in our democracy."
"We thank the security team for responding quickly," he added.
This comes as pro-Palestinian activists and militant leftists have staged large-scale direct actions near the DNC to protest the Democratic Party and the Gaza conflict.
A similar maggot incident happened in July when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting the United States. A group called the Palestinian Youth Movement released maggots and crickets throughout the Watergate Hotel in DC where the prime minister was staying.
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