Last fall, Chicago — and subsequently, Loyola’s Rogers Park community — endured the weight of ICE and other federal agents patrolling our streets and disrupting the typical cosmopolitan flow of the city. Federal agents arrested undocumented and legal Chicagoans alike, with many more individuals harmed by violent encounters.
Activist groups created patrols by enlisting civilian community members to follow ICE vehicles and blow whistles at scenes of arrest. Chicago journalists, including the staff of The Phoenix, worked tirelessly to document ICE’s presence and their consequential impacts on both individual civilians and entire neighborhoods.
Then living in Chicago began to feel heavy and oppressive. Nonetheless, the community seemed unified. People appeared to come together, supporting immigrants and targets of ICE operations. Despite injustice permeating the city, there seemed to be an air of hope — and resistance actions grew.
As we look to Minnesota — which, like Chicago, has seemed to become a playground for the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant agenda — we stand in solidarity with journalists who are navigating how to cover an unprecedented display of federal force being used against citizenry. Our solidarity is especially justified in the wake of the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti who were killed by federal immigration agents.
It isn’t illegal, or uncalled for, for journalists — in Chicago, Minnesota or any other part of the country — to document, photograph or videotape interactions with federal agents in public areas.
In the face of increased violence, some have attempted to strip the press of this right. The Phoenix remains firm in maintaining this as a core tenant of our country, our industry and our paper. Our publication will continue to document these actions moving forward.
We know because we’ve been there. As Minnesotans stand up against the Trump administration’s actions in the Twin Cities and toward the people inside, we hope Chicago will be an example. Our city found innovative ways to support its communities and resist federal overreach and violence — we hope Minnesota can too.