Last night, the National Lawyers Guild of Chicago dispatched 18 Legal Observers to support protesters expressing outrage over Trump’s authoritarian attacks on immigrants. We provided legal support for the 17 people who were arrested, and volunteer attorneys with our Mass Defense program visited most of them while in police custody. At this time, two people remain in police custody awaiting charges. Everyone else arrested yesterday was either released directly from the First District police station overnight or early this morning, or was ordered released in these cases by the courts today.
Yesterday’s police response was especially violent and aggressive. Many of the people arrested at the demonstrations reported extensive physical injuries, reflecting widespread reports of extreme physical aggression by Chicago Police officers.
Our city has a long and important history of protest. The First Amendment rights of Chicagoans must be respected without violent retaliation from law enforcement. CPD’s blatant disregard for policies limiting the use of force demonstrates their inability to respect protesters’ basic constitutional rights.
NLG Chicago will continue supporting our city’s social justice movements as they mobilize against ICE and police violence. Our members will be in the streets and in the courts to support people standing up to fascism.
