Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order declaring the “right to protest” following a “troubling use of force” by federal law enforcement at a protest outside of an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement site last Sunday.
Signed on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the order is an addition to the Mayor’s Protecting Chicago Initiative that says the Chicago Police Department (CPD) will continue to defend citizen’s first amendment rights even against the federal government, all while prioritizing public safety.
“Today, we proclaim that all residents and visitors can peacefully assemble, petition their government, and speak freely in our city,” Johnson said in a statement. “This executive action is about being proactive so that we are prepared for any possible large-scale demonstration in response to the increasingly reckless federal government.”…