Protest in Chicago Calls for Violence Against ICE Agents

On Saturday, during the “No Kings” protest in Chicago, participants made alarming statements urging violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. A video recorded by Christopher Sweat captured an activist urging supporters to “pick up guns” to target ICE, whom he characterized as part of a “fascist system.” This occurred in front of a Progressive Labor Party sign.

“You have to grab the gun. We must turn the gun against this fascist regime,” the activist stated. He insisted that ICE agents should be “shot and wiped out,” describing the current state of affairs as intolerable.

The rhetoric has escalated significantly since President Trump began strict enforcement on illegal immigration, leading to a staggering 1,000% rise in assaults against ICE agents, as noted by the Department of Homeland Security. Recently, three women were indicted for live-streaming their visits to the homes of ICE agents, posting the videos on social media. One agent’s spouse reportedly received a threatening call, expressing anger over the agent’s employment.

The organizers of the “No Kings” protests claim that around 7 million people engaged in 2,700 demonstrations nationwide to denounce what they refer to as “authoritarianism.” They aim to emphasize that the United States shouldn’t be governed by any single authority. Protests have led to calls for the death penalty for government officials, with protesters in Seattle expressing a desire to kill a senior aide and others, particularly in Portland, openly discussing hopes that President Trump would die.

In Chicago, tensions flared as some demonstrators made aggressive gestures toward counter-protesters, highlighting the charged atmosphere surrounding the protests.