Introduction to the Protests
Hundreds of protesters marched in downtown Chicago on Wednesday night, demonstrating against the anticipated deployment of National Guard troops in the Chicago area. The troops were expected to be deployed to the Broadview ICE facility in the west suburbs, with a mission summary from the U.S. military indicating that 200 soldiers from the Texas National Guard and 300 soldiers from the Illinois National Guard would be involved.
Background on the Deployment
The deployment of troops came after weeks of threats from President Donald Trump to send military troops to Illinois, despite the objections of Governor JB Pritzker and other Democratic leaders. A federal judge had rejected a request from Pritzker and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to immediately bar the deployment, with a hearing on the temporary restraining order scheduled for Thursday.
Protesters’ Concerns
Protesters gathered outside the Broadview facility, as well as in other locations such as Joliet and downtown Chicago. They expressed concerns about the treatment of immigrant residents and the potential intimidation of communities. Meredith Shoemaker, a 19-year-old Loyola University Chicago student, said, "To people who are scared, who are detained, we are fighting for you. We don’t support what is happening." Jinah Yun-Mitchell, 59, of Lincolnshire, added, "We can stand up for people that can’t stand up for themselves. The rule of law is falling apart, so we all need to do something to make sure that it doesn’t keep going in this direction."
Reactions from Officials
Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th) called the National Guard troops in Illinois a "Gestapo" force, while Governor Pritzker and Attorney General Raoul continued to oppose the deployment. President Trump escalated his rhetoric, saying that Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson should be jailed for failing to protect federal agents working in the Chicago area.
Community Impact
The deployment of troops has had a significant impact on the community, particularly the Latino community, which has borne the brunt of increased immigration enforcement activity. Lorena Guerrero, a member of the Joliet Township High School Board, said, "I know what it’s like to go to school and come home and have your father deported. Our children are afraid, afraid to leave their homes to go to school." Robert Bowen, a 66-year-old Navy veteran, added, "That’s not American. Whether they were citizens or not didn’t matter. It shouldn’t have happened."
Conclusion
The deployment of National Guard troops in the Chicago area has sparked widespread protests and concerns about the treatment of immigrant residents. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the community will be affected and what the outcome of the court hearing will be. One thing is certain, however: the people of Chicago will continue to stand up for what they believe in and fight for the rights of their community. The protests and demonstrations are a testament to the power of activism and the importance of protecting human rights. As Aiden Price, a Marine Corps veteran and Chicago Public Schools civics teacher, said, "These rights are supposed to be given to anyone in the confines of the country."
