US Against us

On September 30th, the 130-unit complex at 7500 South Shore Drive in Chicago was raided by Federal agents. Part of a larger operation called "Operation Midway Blitz", these agencies included ICE, CBP, FBI and ATF. Said federal agencies claimed it was to target undocumented immigrants who they say might have ties to the Tren De Aragua gang.

Or was it much more sinister than that?

Through the use of intimidation, violence, even going so far as sending black hawk helicopters to further that fear, what was accomplished was the violent destruction of homes of those who had the audacity to live in a building run by slum lords, a Wisconsin based investor firm named Trinity Flood, who is currently fighting a $27 Million foreclosure that involves a trio of buildings in the same neighborhood of South Shore Drive, as well as other properties in the city of Chicago, and the states of Georgia and Arizona. Those 3 buildings mentioned were purchased for $18 million through a loan that they are unable to make payments on. One can only assume they wanted to sell in order to make some of that money back--what better way to do so than flip a property that is already vacant? But they went beyond sending out a notice to vacate. One can guess they instead called the predominantly Venezuelan and black community living in the building criminals.

What happened was an attack, as the federal agents came in from the ground and repelled from helicopter onto the roof, so that its sleeping tenants were surrounded. They made their way from floor to floor, destroying everything in their path. Everything from clothes, bedding, to personal papers, left strewn in its hallways from the tossed apartments. They dragged everyone from the comfort of their beds, after they pointed weapons to their faces, waking them from their sleep. Then they zip tied and dragged its residents. Through that commotion caused by their reckless behavior, these same federal agents scared the innocent children living there, probably emotionally and psychologically scarring them for the rest of their lives. They left these same children unclothed and unattended on the streets. When a resident pointed this out, a federal agent could be heard answering back with the phrase "fuck them kids."

Our own government resources, the ones we pay for, can be used to evict people– to violently bully them from their own homes. To hurt kids, the same children this administration swears they want to protect.

The residence of 7500 South Shore Drive, it seems, were only punished because its owners could not pay their debts. These residents lived in a building that, according to city officials, was dangerous to live in, had multiple code violations. In fact, the only people who actually maintained the building, according to a neighbor, were its Venezuelan residents, who took turns to clean and maintain said spaces, because those who owned the building could give a damn. Because even though they they lived in that difficulty, they took care of it because it was their home, where they it assumed it safe.

Besides the racism, this has what it's has been about, hasn't it? Trump sending in the military to blue state cities. The general presence of ICE. Having these cities get used to that military fascist presence. This abuse in power in order to punish the poor in the name of potential money to be made. The properties in question are probably worth more empty to the groups who own them. What better way than to use the racism? Call in a tip and say all the brown people– all the people of color are Venezuelan gang members. Every single one of them are all Tren De Aragua.

It seems they're using our tax money, the resources that we pay for to punish people for not only the color of their skin, but for being poor as well. After all, they did not discriminate in their raid–every floor was searched, it was all torn apart. The only thing in common was that they all lived there. Per a Border patrol agent, "We're going to clear the entire building, bring everyone out of that building, whether they're United States citizen or an illegal alien."

And this isn't the first time would-be "entrepreneurs" have enlisted the help of Federal agents and local law enforcement through a created fear and panic that spread lies that might have helped in fueling the Trump administration prepare the public for the invasion of cities. The same racist rhetoric that had origins in Colorado where The Edge at Lowry apartments, owned by another group who were essentially slum lords claimed that Tren de Aragua had taken over.

Political sides be damned, anyone who pays into our system, who backs this country through taxes, should be appalled that this is happening.

Let's talk hypothetical: What if a bunch of asshole investors bought your neighborhood? What if they thought they could get the landlord you're paying rent to in order to live on their property to sell by sending ICE into your neighborhood? Let's say you owned your own home– what if they could get you to sell your home through that constant threat? What if they could go through your neighborhood on a daily basis and harass you and your neighbors until you sell?

What if your landlord wanted you gone? All they had to do was claim you were Tren De Aragua or if this administration has its continued way, all they have to do is call you "Antifa."

What I am saying is that they are not done. This is just the start. Trump has said as much, telling senior military leaders that American cities should be used as "training grounds." Trump was a real estate mogul before he became a "politician" – he's exploited his fair share of immigrants , in the name of real estate, after all. If the right interests came calling to the Trump administration, with the cash to back it up, the fascist-backed ICE could go beyond property its slum lords want cleared. They can and probably will go after neighborhoods and homes owned by private citizens in neighborhoods that some will see as an opportunity for gentrification. They are already doing this with all destroyed property due to the Palisades fires. People who lived there no longer can afford to rebuild – this is when the big companies come up to buy up all the land and build in their image.

In this case, the fire is one of human suffering at the hands of government-funded gestapo. Clear the neighborhood and make way for the corporations and private investment firms who will buy up all the housing but will rent it back to you at exuberant prices.

What's to stop them?

ICE doesn't care who you are, where you're from. Most of the ICE agents, and most of the military deployed are not from the neighborhoods they are attacking. Most are not even from the same state. As we've seen, they don't care if you're an elected official, they don't care if you're in charge. They don't even care if you're a cop assigned to back them up. Why would they care about a neighborhood they don't belong to? Why would they care about a neighbor they will never see again?

And this makes me ask: why should local law enforcement back them up? Because it's their job? Like if there's a chance a cop might be reading these words I ask: is it worth backing these thugs up? I bring up the point that ICE will never see these neighbors again– but you might– because you live there. You'll see these people again and not on friendly terms. This goes for all local authority figures– in the end, you'll have to be the ones who will have to deal with the anger, you will be the ones who will have to deal with the disappointment. You will be the only ones who will have to answer.

As of writing this, 7500 South Shore Drive is all but vacant, with its former residents not under ICE custody going back the next day in order to pick up what was left of their belongings and file reports of what was missing. Otherwise, the building is a skeleton all but picked.

And that's what Trump and his administration wants to do with our neighborhoods– with our cities– to vacate them through force and violence so that he can rebuild them in the image of capitalism. In Trump's image.