“Operation Midway Blitz” shakes chicago communities

By: Vashti Smith

Tear gas fills the air, armed federal agents roam residential streets, and helicopters hover over roofs in several neighborhoods. President Donald Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz” leaves immigrant communities in Chicago living with fear. 

According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 1,000 arrests have been made in Chicago since operations began on September 8th. The president sent orders to deploy federal agents and 500 National Guard troops. These troops and agents increase tension in neighborhoods due to residents bracing themselves for unannounced, late-night raids.

“Operation Midway Blitz” also raises massive concerns for immigrant children’s education. These excessive arrests are taking parents away from their children, even on the way to school. Though the Department of Homeland Security assured that they do not target schools in a press conference, teachers have become even more protective of their students. Educators are urging Chicago Public Schools to engage in e-learning instead of having kids physically go to school, due to students feeling anxious and scared. 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a Reuters interview, “I've ensured that our Chicago public schools and all of our public institutions are very clear about the rights that we possess and the rights that we get to protect.”

State and local officials oppose these actions and argue that the heavy use of law enforcement and the deployment of troops are unlawful and unnecessary. The city of Chicago and the state of Illinois filed lawsuits to discontinue the heavy presence of federal forces. Sara L. Ellis, a district court judge and an appointee by former President Barack Obama, filed a temporary restraining order to prevent the Trump administration authorities from using force against journalists, civilians, and protesters. This restraining order was granted on October 9th. Other lawsuits have alleged that federal agents have used force to prevent individuals from using their 1st Amendment Right by shooting, gassing, and detaining them while they were protesting. 

“I think that’s something really impressive that we’ve seen in the city of Chicago, is a focus on liberation and understanding that state violence is interconnected and ongoing,” said Janel Cohen, a protestor of “Operation Midway Blitz”, in a Block Club Chicago article. 

As of October 10th, the National Guard deployment has been halted in Chicago by a federal judge after a Chicago pastor was shot with pepper balls. The pastor was repeatedly shot with pepper balls during a demonstration outside an ICE facility. The troops are currently training and planning, but not engaging in any operational activities. 

Chicago families continue to prepare for uncertainty, while community leaders and protestors urge for peace and solidarity as they confront a federal operation that continues to remove a sense of normality from lives.