On a snowy night on Thursday, January 26, 1,500 people came out to the streets of Chicago in an emergency response to the racist and reactionary executive actions of Donald Trump. Within his first few days in office Trump’s executive orders have included stripping support for abortion rights worldwide, limiting immigration from countries subject to U.S. Imperialism, and perhaps most outrageously, constructing a physical wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. On the announcement of these racist and sexist executive orders, the ANSWER Coalition of Chicago, in conjunction with Black Lives Matter Women of Faith, People United Against Oppression and organizers with Rise and Organize put out the call for people to assemble at the Department of Homeland Security offices in a show of defense for all those under attack.
The people heard that call, and they responded in force. In less than 24 hours, more than a thousand people were mobilized to build a wall of solidarity in the streets, and to make it clear that Chicago is ready to resist every inch of Trump’s agenda.
Around 5pm, people began to gather for a rally on the street outside the DHS offices in downtown Chicago. Signs and banners were raised saying that immigrants were welcome here, and calling for the ouster of Donald Trump. As the crowd swelled and overflowed the narrow city street, the demonstrators began to march through downtown to Federal Plaza, chanting “¡El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido!” and bringing their message of unity and solidarity to passersby.
At Federal Plaza, as snow continued to fall, people from multiple communities spoke of the need to create an independent militant movement dedicated not only to fighting Trump, but to pushing forward for real liberation for all.
The night’s demonstration pointed the way toward that future by showing that there is a real movement of people ready to mobilize against Trump and in defense of anyone he tries to come after with his bigoted attacks. It’s precisely this movement, of, by and for the people, that has the potential to be that change in American society, and that can defeat Trump, and all Trumps, once and for all.
In the coming days, weeks and months ahead, the real tests of the movement will come, but if the people stay fighting, stay united, and stay in the streets, they will never be defeated.
