So the National Guard might be coming to Chicago… and if you’re like me, you’re probably wondering—what does that even mean for us?
Let’s break it down, because history shows this ain’t the first time—and every time it happens, it hits our city a certain way.
First Off—What’s Even Happening?
The federal government’s been talking about (and even moving on) sending National Guard troops into Chicago—supposedly to “protect” federal buildings and agents.
But here’s the catch: Governor Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson said nah. They’re calling it federal overreach—basically, the feds stepping on state rights and ignoring local control.
Courts are already involved, and Chicagoans are side-eyeing the whole thing.
What’s the Point (Supposedly)?
People who support the move say it’s about:
- Keeping order if things get chaotic
- Protecting federal buildings or agents
- Adding “backup” to the city’s resources
Sounds reasonable, right? But that’s just one side of it.
Why Folks Are Worried
- It can feel like an occupation.
Military gear, armored trucks, soldiers in our streets—that doesn’t scream safety to folks who already don’t feel protected by police. - It deepens mistrust.
Our communities already struggle with trust in law enforcement. The Guard showing up could make things worse, not better. - It’s been messy before.
History shows Guard deployments can get violent fast—and when that happens, we’re usually the ones catching the worst of it. - It sets a dangerous example.
If the government can just roll troops into cities whenever it wants, what’s next? That’s how authoritarianism creeps in.
When It Happened Before (And What Went Down)
Chicago has seen this before—and every time, it left scars.
- In 1966, the people of the West Side rioted after a police brutality incident involving Aracelis Cruz, which resulted in the guard troops coming in with fear and trauma. This day is remembered within the Puerto Rican community as the Division Street Rebellion.
- In 1968, people protested the Democratic National Convention against the Vietnam War and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and it became a national public scandal as the brutality of the protestors by the National Guard was caught on camera, and the city in various aspects still never recovered from this event.
- In 2020, the viral video of George Floyd’s death at the knee of a police officer resulted in a mix of outcomes. With a city already on lockdown from COVID, the National Guard entered the city with orders to “help” the demonstrations, but it didn’t result in a peaceful and clear ending.
So yeah, we’ve seen this movie before. And we know how it ends when the system doesn’t listen to the people.
Chicago Don’t Fold—We Rise Up
Chicago’s got a long history of standing up when power tries to press down.
- Haymarket Affair (1886): workers fought for fair hours—and changed labor rights forever.
- Freedom Day (1963): Black students walked out of segregated schools demanding justice.
- Fred Hampton & the Rainbow Coalition: built unity between Black, Brown, and poor white folks to fight oppression together.
We’ve never been afraid to demand better—and we’re not about to start now.
What to Watch For
If troops do come, we need to stay alert about:
- Who’s in charge—local or federal?
- How they treat protesters and civilians
- Whether our rights get trampled in the name of “safety”
- Where resources go—is money going to soldiers or to communities that need healing?
Real Talk
Let’s be honest: bringing in the National Guard might calm things down for a second — but it doesn’t fix what’s broken.
It doesn’t stop poverty.
It doesn’t heal trauma.
It doesn’t rebuild trust.
If anything, it risks turning our neighborhoods into battlegrounds instead of communities.
Final Thoughts—From a Black Girl in Chicago
Every time the government talks about “control,” I think about how that control usually lands on us. On the South and West Sides. On Black and brown bodies.
So yeah, I’m concerned. I want safety—but not safety that comes from soldiers on corners. I want safety that comes from care, jobs, schools, and love for our people. Chicago has always known how to resist, rebuild, and rise again.
So if the Guard comes… We’ll stay watchful. We’ll stay smart. And we’ll stay us—loud, proud, and unshakably Chicago.
