Editor’s Note: The following article was sent to the Tribuno del Pueblo, sister publication of People’s Tribune by one of their readers and published originally here. For their protection, the paper has decided to post anonymously.
“I wish I could speak and hold that little girl and tell her that it wasn’t her fault. It’s not her fault she wanted to play. It’s not her parents’ fault they wanted to see the sun and watch their kids play in the water. No one thought it would happen there [at Chicago’s Millenium Park.]”
I saw a video of military tanks on my mom’s block this morning. The same streets I’ve walked with her to run errands. And then I saw ICE less than a mile from my dad’s house. Also the same streets I’ve walked with him. I try to stay calm and check in on them but I think we’re all losing hope. It feels like we’re on a countdown. All 20+ years of being here are about to go down the drain.
History has taught me that the agents and government prey on our fear. That they want us to self-deport to make their jobs easier. Knowing this, it makes me want to fight and make their job as difficult as can be. If I go out, I’m going out kicking and screaming. But as brave as I want to be, there’s no denying that I am scared. I’m scared for myself, my parents, my tios and tias, my whole family. We’re all vulnerable.
The last time this happened after inauguration, I handed out “know your right” cards to my family. Handing them to my uncle hit me the hardest. He’s always been such a grand man to me. He’s a second father, scary and loving all at the same time. And seeing his fear, I saw him as small and vulnerable for the first time in my life. Although I’ve grown up, I can’t help but think of all the kids who are seeing their parents and protectors go through this. No child should have to see their guardians this vulnerable.
I think a lot about the family that was taken at Millenium. I wish I could speak and hold that little girl and tell her that it wasn’t her fault. It’s not her fault she wanted to play. It’s not her parents’ fault they wanted to see the sun and watch their kids play in the water. No one thought it would happen there.
These agents have been violating my memories of the city. After Lori [former Chicago mayor] raised the bridges in 2020 I haven’t been able to look at the bridges the same. And now Millenium and the river is stained by their disgusting green uniforms. They cast an ugly shadow on all my city’s neighborhoods.
