Residents of the Southeast Side of Chicago who were tear-gassed while scuffling with federal agents yesterday after the agents rammed a car while making arrests, are denouncing the agents and say they’re going to continue to fight back.
Several organizations were represented during a press conference at the United Workers' Center at 98th Street and Ewing Avenue, which, among other things, advocates for immigrants.
Those present were very critical of the tactics used during the incident and others elsewhere in the city and suburbs and they’re vowing to continue fighting.
“ICE has continued to come to our community to terrorize, intimidate and create fear among our members,” said Ana Guajardo, with the United Workers' Center.
An Immigration Attorney, Oscar Franco, urged people to call a hotline if they see federal agents or they need legal representation for a family member.
The number is 855-435-7693.
“The incidents that took place are appalling and disgusting,” Franco said. “ICE is rampaging our communities and turning them into war zones.”
He said everyone has rights, regardless of legal status.
He said that includes the right to film federal agents.
He suggested that people do so at a safe distance.
“Do not antagonize or use force against ICE,” he said. “ICE will use any excuse to continue to terrorize our community.”
Franco also said citizens and legal permanent residents should have their documentation with them at all times.
Olga Bautista, the Vice President of the Chicago Board of Education, also a Southwest Side resident, said she’s “furious."
She said, “ICE stormed into the Southeast side, one of the oldest immigrant and working class communities in Chicago and unleashed violence on our families.”
She said, “ICE instigated, ICE escalated and ICE attacked.”
It should be noted that eggs and rocks were thrown at federal agents.
The following is a statement from the US Department of Homeland Security:
“This morning (Tuesday) while conducting an immigration enforcement operation in Chicago a vehicle, driven by an illegal alien, rammed a Border Patrol vehicle and attempted to flee the scene. Border Patrol pursued the vehicle and was eventually able to stop it utilizing an authorized precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver. Once the vehicle was stopped, the suspects, who are both illegal aliens, attempted to flee on foot. As Border Patrol arrested the subjects and attempted to secure the scene a crowd began to form and eventually turned hostile and eventually crowd control measures were used.”