Transcription
Let me start by saying this. I do not take this executive action lightly. I would have preferred to work in a more collaborative approach. I would have preferred to do the work with our allies and city council to pass legislation ultimately. And um, we were doing that. We were doing just that. Some of the leaders who we are working with are standing behind me today.
But unfortunately, we do not have the luxury of time. We have received credible reports that we have days, not weeks, before our cities see some type of militarized activity by the federal government. It is unclear at this time what that will look like exactly. We may see militarized immigration enforcement. We may also see National Guard troops. We may even see active duty military and armed vehicles in our streets.
We have not called for this. Our people have not asked for this, but nevertheless, we find ourselves having to respond to this. Let me be absolutely clear. Although we believe the reports we have received are highly credible, this is an an erratic impulsive administration and it is not always possible to understand and know exactly how he will move. He could change his mind. He could reverse course. In fact, I encourage him to do that.
But still, we take these threats seriously, and we find ourselves in a position where we must take immediate drastic action to protect our people from federal overreach. I'm signing an executive order today that will launch the Protecting Chicago initiative. This is a project that builds on the months of preparation that we have done that that have we that we've done that has led up to this very moment.
Protecting Chicago will ensure that every Chicagoan knows their rights, that every single family is prepared, and every part of city government is directed to protect the people of Chicago from federal action. This sweeping executive order directs our department of law to pursue any and every legal mechanism to hold this administration accountable for violating the rights of Chicagoans.
This order affirms that the Chicago Police Department will not collaborate with military personnel on police patrols or civil immigration enforcement. We will not have our police officers who are working hard every single day to drive down crime deputi deputized to do traffic stops and checkpoints for the president.
This order affirms the CPD officers will be directed to wear CPD uniforms and refrain from wearing masks so that residents can clearly distinguish them from federal agents. And finally, as I said, it establishes the protecting Chicago initiative, the most sweeping campaign of any city in the country to protect ourselves from the threats and actions of this outofcrol administration.
We will protect our constitution. We will protect our city. And we will protect our people. We do not want to see tanks in our streets. We do not want to see families ripped apart. We do not want grandmothers thrown into the back of unmarked vans. We don't want to see homeless Chicagoans harassed or disappeared by federal agents. We don't want to see Chicagoans arrested for sitting on their porch. That's not who we are as a city and that's not who we are as a nation.
My team and I have spoken with the governor, the county president, and with our federal delegation and we are in complete alignment. The time for action is now. With that, I will sign this executive order and then return for follow-up questions. I'm going to move the mic. [Music]