Politics

‘Back Off’: Pritzker Blames ICE Strike Teams for Creating ‘Mayhem’ Across Chicago

Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday blamed immigration enforcement agents for creating “mayhem” across Chicago and told them to “back off.”

In the past 12 days, Department of Homeland Security agents have deployed tear gas against Chicagoans who gathered to protest their efforts to detain people they believe to be in the country illegally four times: in Logan Square on Oct. 3; in Brighton Park on Oct. 4; in Albany Park on Sunday and in East Side Tuesday.

In addition to dozens of Chicagoans, none of whom have been charged with a crime in connection with the incidents, 40 CPD officers have been exposed to the chemical agent, officials said.

“ICE is causing this mayhem,” Pritzker told reporters after an unrelated event. “They’re the ones who are tossing tear gas when people are peacefully protesting. ICE is the one who’s going into neighborhoods where they, frankly, are causing fear among people who live in those neighborhoods, work in those neighborhoods, so they need to back off.”

Pritzker also suggested that federal agents had violated a temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis on Oct. 9 in a case brought by the Chicago Headline Club, Chicago Newspaper Guild Local 34071, Block Club Chicago and other media organizations.

“Whatever lawlessness is occurring is not occurring by peaceful protesters” and journalists, Ellis said after reading her decision aloud. Some actions by federal agents “clearly violate the constitution. Individuals are allowed to protest. They are allowed to speak. That is guaranteed by the First Amendment to our Constitution, and it is a bedrock right that upholds our democracy.”

That order requires agents to issue two warnings before using tear gas and other types of chemical sprays. The order also restricts agents from using force against members of the public — such as tackling — unless the person represents an immediate threat.

No warnings were captured in any of the videos of the incidents, and witnesses said they did not have any chance to flee before the chemical agents were deployed.

“We’ve got to bring an end to this, the federal government and Donald Trump need to recognize that this is not the way that you do immigration enforcement,” said Pritzker, acknowledging that state officials’ have limited ability to stop federal officials from enforcing federal laws as they see fit.

Community organizations have been working to identify the location of federal agents in Chicago neighborhoods to warn undocumented immigrants of their presence. Groups have distributed whistles and created text and phone networks to sound the alarm.

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

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