Chicago Schools Implement Soft Lockdown Amid ICE Activity
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Multiple Chicago schools were placed on soft lockdowns on Friday, Oct. 24, as reports of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity circulated in the area. Alongside this, federal agents were reported to have used tear gas in the Lakeview neighborhood, leading to concerns and precautions within the community.
Among the schools affected was the A.N. Pritzker Elementary School in the Wicker Park neighborhood, which initiated a soft lockdown as a proactive measure. Dr. Joenile Albert-Reese, the school’s principal, assured families that the lockdown was not in response to an emergency but rather a precautionary step to ensure the safety of everyone within the school community.
During a soft lockdown, teachers are tasked with checking the hallways for students and staff before securing doors and windows. Outdoor activities are suspended, and a thorough verification process is conducted to maintain a calm and secure classroom environment. Additionally, parents were advised to nominate a “trusted adult” in case they were unable to pick up their children at the usual dismissal time.
Similar safety measures were observed at other schools in the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods, including Mitchell Elementary, Pulaski International, and Rauner College Prep. The enforcement activities were linked to Operation Midway Blitz and Operation At Large, initiatives that have seen federal agents present in Chicago for over a month.
Amid these developments, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson raised concerns and urged Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to consider remote learning options for public school students in the city. However, Pritzker reassured that schools were adequately prepared, highlighting the presence of neighborhood programs aimed at supporting parents during such situations.
Reports also emerged of tear gas being deployed during a confrontation between federal agents and community members in the Lakeview neighborhood. Ald. Bennett Lawson expressed concerns that individuals like construction workers, landscapers, and nannies appeared to be specifically targeted, raising questions about the nature of operations in the area.
In a recent court order, U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis prohibited the use of tear gas and other weapons by federal agents against non-threatening individuals. Despite this, Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino defended the agents’ actions, stating that all force used was within the boundaries of policy.
As the situation continues to unfold, community members and advocates are monitoring the developments closely to ensure the protection and well-being of all residents. The delicate balance between law enforcement activities and public safety remains a focal point in discussions surrounding immigration enforcement practices in Chicago.