Chicago Labor Day protest opposes Trump policies, ICE operations
A coalition of organizers, union members and elected officials gathered Monday for a Chicago Labor Day march and rally opposing the Trump administration and escalated immigration enforcement operations.
The "Workers Over Billionaires" protest kicked off near the Haymarket Memorial in the West Loop.
The protest's original purpose was to stand united against President Trump's cuts to funding and programs, and attacks on immigrants and minority communities.
But the recent threats made by President Trump to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, and plans confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to escalate immigration enforcement in the city, made the message bigger.
"No federal troops in the city of Chicago!" Mayor Brandon Johnson declared at the rally.
Johnson's message to the administration was loud and clear.
"No militarized forces. We're going to defend our democracy in the City of Chicago," he said.
"In times like this, coming together on Labor Day takes extra importance. The movement for worker rights, racial justice and immigrant rights has to keep moving forward in the face of Trump's overreach," said Veronica Castro, deputy director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. "While Trump tries to instill fear, our movements will continue to push back as we've been doing on Labor Day and beyond."
Scattered throughout the crowd were signs underscoring the message and people voicing their anger.
"I do not want a government takeover, a military takeover of Chicago," said North Sider Terry McCaskill. "How do we come back from that? They've taken over the capital. We're the only ones standing in the way of dictatorship."
Among those echoing the message that troops under the command of the Trump administration are not welcome in Chicago was U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, who is concerned that the Trump administration will try to exploit the upcoming Mexican Independence Day Parade.
García said the parade is normally expression of Mexican pride.
"There is no doubt in my mind that there's great potential for provocateurs," García said, "whether they be the federal agents sent here, or others who would want to create a clash and demonstrate imagery where there is a disturbance, a riot, fighting going on to justify a mobilization that otherwise would not be warranted."
Friends from the South Side and north suburban Evanston shared similar views, saying Trump is "trying to start martial law, and Chicago is not going to stand for that."
While the Trump administration has not provided details on a deployment of troops to Chicago, rally organizers said the threat has prompted action, with more immigration rights trainings across the city, particularly aimed at undocumented immigrants.
Organizers want to remind people they can call the hotline at 1-855-435-7693 they can call if they suspect ICE Is in their community, or if a family was taken by agents.