Around 200 members of the Texas National Guard have been deployed to the Chicago area to protect federal property, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) buildings and other federal facilities, the U.S. Northern Command announced.
A spokesperson for the Command told the Associated Press (AP) that the troops arrived at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, about 90 kilometres southwest of the city, where they were joined by approximately 300 soldiers from Illinois.
A total of 500 troops will be active for 60 days, though details regarding their armament were not released. The deployment has provoked strong reactions from Democratic leaders and local authorities, who oppose the presence of federal forces in the city.
A court hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday, while District Judge Sara Ellis announced that she might limit the use of tear gas and other crowd control measures against peaceful protesters.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the deployment, stating it was an “authoritarian move” aimed at “inciting fear and violating the Constitution.” The Court of Appeals is currently reviewing a decision on the possible sending of the National Guard to Portland, where federal authorities have requested the establishment of “free speech zones” for demonstrators.
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Source: B92, Kurir; Foto: Jim Vondruska / Reuters