Sandy MaloneChicago, IL – President Donald Trump announced Monday that he would be sending more federal police to major cities to combat violent riots, including 150 to Chicago.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not officially declared the deployment but President Trump recently sent federal officers and agents to Portland to crack down on riots there.
Sources told the Chicago Tribune that plans were in the works to deploy 150 Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) agents to the Windy City soon.
“I’m going to do something that I can tell you, because we’re not going to leave New York and Chicago and Philadelphia, Detroit and Baltimore, and all of these — Oakland is a mess. We’re not going to let this happen in our country, all run by liberal Democrats,” President Trump said on July 20, according to the Chicago Tribune.
“We’re going to have more federal law enforcement, that I can tell you,” he said. “In Portland, they’ve done a fantastic job. They’ve been there three days and they really have done a fantastic job in a very short period of time, no problem.”
On Saturday, the head of Chicago’s police union called Mayor Lori Lightfoot a “complete failure” and asked PresidentTrump “to help save Chicago” and intervene after rioters injured 18 police officers while they tried to tear down the statue of Christopher Columbus on Friday, WBBM reported.
Demonstrators were seen bunched together in formation using umbrellas to block them from the line of police they were approaching in Grant Park.
Videos posted to social media showed violent protesters hurling rocks, frozen bottles, and other objects at police.
Rioters also shot fireworks off in the direction of the officers, WBBM reported.
Police officials told WBBM that “mortar round explosives, and sharpened PVC pipe fashioned into spears” were thrown at the cops and that one police sergeant may have been blinded during the attack.
“We deeply respect an individual’s right to peacefully protest and we will do everything we can to protect that right. But, we will not stand by, and in fact we are obligated to act, while City or private property is being damaged or while violent acts are being committed,” Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown tweeted on Saturday.
We deeply respect an individual's right to peacefully protest and we will do everything we can to protect that right. But, we will not stand by, and in fact we are obligated to act, while City or private property is being damaged or while violent acts are being committed.
— Chicago Police Superintendent David O. Brown (@ChiefDavidBrown) July 18, 2020
While last night's protest started peacefully, a group of organized criminal agitators pelted fireworks, rocks, frozen water bottles and other projectiles at officers in Grant Park and attempted to criminally damage City property.
— Chicago Police Superintendent David O. Brown (@ChiefDavidBrown) July 18, 2020
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a statement that condemned the Chicago Police Department and claimed officers “responded with excessive violence and chemical agents to protesters who gathered in Grant Park last evening demands public accountability and transparency.”
The mayor also released a statement condemning the violence in her city but seemed more concerned about the rights of protesters to riot, WBBM reported.
Hundreds took to the streets yesterday to express their First Amendment right to protest. I unequivocally support and will always fight for the rights of individuals to peacefully protest on any issue.
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) July 18, 2020
“Unfortunately, last night, a portion of the protesters turned violent,” Lightfoot wrote. “A number of individuals came with frozen water bottles, rocks, bottles, cans and other gear to throw at officers. People in the crowd also threw fireworks and other incendiary devices at police, causing injury in several cases. These violent acts are unacceptable and put everyone at risk.”
“There have also been several reports of excessive force by the police,” the mayor continued. “These are also unacceptable. I have spoken to the director of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, and she has assured me that COPA stands ready to address these complaints and will ensure that each of these is dealt with and investigated. We will not spare any resources to do so.”
“If you believe you have been mistreated by the police, then I urge you to file a complaint through COPA or by dialing 311,” she added.
After the mayor took her position on the violence surrounding the Christopher Columbus statue, the police union reached out to President Trump for help.
The letter was posted to the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police’s (FOP) official Facebook page.
“I am certain you are aware of the chaos currently affecting our city on a regular basis now,” Chicago FOP President John Catanzara Jr. wrote. “I am writing to formally ask you for help from the federal government. Mayor Lightfoot has proved to be a complete failure who is either unwilling or unable to maintain law and order here.”
“I would be willing to sit down anytime and discuss ideas about how we can bring civility back to the streets of Chicago. These politicians are failing the good men and women of this city and the police department,” Catanzara continued.
The union boss went on to inform the President that he has been a supporter of his administration and asked him to “rally the silent majority to say enough is enough.”
The mayor called the missive to President Trump a “political stunt” by the police union.
“We will not dignify this or any other political stunt,” her office told WBBM. “We will, however, continue to support the true, hard working men and women of the police department.”
Lightfoot has said she does not want federal police patrolling her city, the Chicago Tribune reported.
“We don’t need federal agents without any insignia taking people off the streets and holding them, I think, unlawfully,” the mayor said.
Chicago has had record-breaking numbers of shootings and murders almost every weekend so far this summer.
Holly Matkin
