Politics

Chicago Is Ready for Large Anti-ICE Protests, Johnson Says, Blasting Trump as a ‘Tyrant’

Chicago is ready for large-scale protests on Saturday against President Donald Trump and his efforts to use federal agents to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, Mayor Brandon Johnson said Wednesday.

“I am counting on all of Chicago to resist in this moment,” Johnson said. “Whatever particular vulnerable group is being targeted today, another group will be next.”

There is no need for the president to send U.S. Marines or National Guard troops to Chicago, Johnson said, blasting Trump as a “tyrant” and an “authoritarian” trampling on the U.S. Constitution and undermining American democracy.

“Dissent matters in this moment,” Johnson said, adding that Trump has demonstrated “a complete disregard for our Constitution.”

“He is abusing his power,” Johnson added.

U.S. Marines and more National Guard troops are set to arrive in Los Angeles Wednesday over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass after days of protests and unrest.

Chicagoans should not hesitate to exercise their First Amendment rights, Johnson said. The Chicago Police Department proved during last summer’s Democratic National Convention that it could constitutionally police large protests, he added.

“What we ended up seeing was thousands of people were able to exercise their First Amendment rights with minimal issues,” Johnson said. “There will always be, unfortunately, a small minority who will take advantage of a protest or demonstration to cause chaos. The vast majority of protesters remained peaceful and organized.”

The first large anti-ICE protest swept through the Loop on Tuesday evening, with thousands of marchers urging Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to leave Chicago.

Approximately 10 CTA buses and 13 police squad cars were vandalized with anti-ICE graffiti, officials said. Seventeen people were charged with crimes in connection with the protest, including four people charged with felonies.

A 66-year-old woman suffered a broken arm when a vehicle defied a police order not to drive thorough the protest and struck demonstrators, officials said. No one has been charged in connection with that incident.

“When a small number of protesters set things on fire, it plays into the hands of authoritarians like Donald Trump, who take advantage to ultimately repress all protesters,” Johnson said.

Chicago police officers will respond appropriately, Johnson said, and follow both the letter and the spirit of CPD’s mass arrest policy, crafted specifically for the convention and implemented after fierce pushback from police reform groups.

“This president is determined to insert chaos,” Johnson said, adding that the city will provide “calm and structure.”

Johnson’s remarks about Trump were the harshest since the president took office in January. The mayor reminded reporters that he warned repeatedly that Trump would target Chicago if he was reelected.

“He can come after us in any form in which he pleases,” Johnson said. “How we show up for each other, that’s what’s more critical here.”

Johnson told reporters he was reviewing the actions of Chicago police officers during a June 4 protest outside a South Loop facility where at least 10 immigrants were arrested after arriving to check in with federal authorities. Ald. Anthony Quezada (35th Ward) said ICE agents threw him to the ground and Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd Ward) said she was pushed around.

The city’s Welcoming City ordinance prohibits city employees and police officers from helping federal agents enforce immigration law.

“It is the job of the local police department to keep people safe,” Johnson said.

Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]

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