DOWNTOWN – Giant teams of border patrol brokers marched via Downtown streets Sunday afternoon, patrolling a few of the most high-trafficked spots within the metropolis.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers wearing uniform, some armed with lengthy weapons, had been first noticed close to Millennium Park round 12:30 p.m. Sunday, in response to avenue performers Invoice and Ian, who play dwell music throughout the road on Michigan Avenue.
“It was a bunch of about 30 border patrol guys,” Ian stated. “I actually don’t know why they’re right here – this can be a very peaceable a part of the town.”
Officers had been additionally seen strolling Michigan Avenue north of Millennium Park and on North Clark Road within the Gold Coast, in response to witnesses and video posted to social media.
Danielle Rabie and her husband, Devin, had been taking a stroll close to the intersection of West Chicago Avenue and North Clark Road within the Gold Coast after they encountered a bunch of roughly 50 Customs and Border Patrol Officers marching down either side of Clark Road, ultimately dispersing into a number of unmarked legislation enforcement autos.
The group was led by an agent armed with an assault rifle, and many of the officers seen in pictures are carrying face coverings.
A number of the officers crowded on a Gold Coast intersection had been greeted with chants of “disgrace” from neighbors, video exhibits.
“I believe it’s horrifying,” Danielle Rabie stated. “We should always not have armed militias strolling down the road with weapons.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson stated the patrols are a “brazen provocation” by President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Whereas Chicagoans and guests are having fun with one other attractive Sunday, they’re being intimidated and threatened by masked federal brokers flaunting automated weapons for no obvious purpose,” Johnson stated in a press release. “That is one other brazen provocation from the Trump administration that does nothing to make our metropolis safer. We’ll proceed to observe the scenario and supply updates as they grow to be out there.”
On Friday, armed Border Patrol brokers patrolled the principle department of the Chicago River.
It is a breaking information story. Examine again for updates.
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