SPRINGFIELD, Ill – Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker is urging residents to “remain calm, stay safe and document what you see” as the Trump Administration continues to send military troops to cities.
Pritzker released a statement Saturday saying the state is closely monitoring the federal deployments in the Village of Broadview, near Chicago. Pritzker said safety is his top priority and State Police are in close communication with Broadview police to monitor and maintain public safety.
“Whether it be in Broadview here in Illinois or in Portland, Oregon, the Trump Administration is intentionally creating chaos to threaten sending military troops to American cities and suburbs,” Pritzker said. “The suggestion that chemical agents like tear gas or pepper spray could be used indiscriminately against peaceful demonstrators, or even first responders, is unacceptable and not normal.”
President Donald Trump said Saturday he was deploying troops to Portland, Oregon to protect federal immigration facilities against what he called “domestic terrorists”, and said he was authorizing them to use “full force, if necessary.”
Pritzker said Illinois will always defend Americans’ right to peacefully protest and make their voices heard.
“We denounce any violence against the general public, members of the media, and law enforcement or first responders,” Pritzker said in his statement. “Even when the Trump Administration does not follow the law, we will.”
Pritzker said he is also urging citizens to document what they see with their phones and cameras.
“My senior team has also asked legal organizations to support monitoring on the ground,” Pritzker said. “By observing and recording peacefully, we can ensure that any violence of the law are brought to light and those responsible are held accountable.”
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