Hundreds of Chicago area veterans gathered at the Vietnam War Memorial on Veterans Day to voice their opposition to Trump administration policies, particularly those related to immigration and cuts in services for veterans.
The rally, organized by About Face: Veterans Against the War, featured dozens of veteran participants holding signs that read "No Cuts, No ICE, No Occupation." Nick Podjasek, an Air Force veteran and healthcare provider at the VA, emphasized the impact of Trump's policies on immigrant communities, stating that ICE has targeted veterans for detention due to their immigration status.
The event focused on multiple issues, including U.S. support for Israel in its war against Hamas and the bombing of suspected drug boats off the coast of Venezuela, all under President Donald Trump's orders. However, a major theme was the use of force and intimidation by ICE in rounding up immigrants, even some American citizens.
Veterans expressed their disdain for Trump's policies, with Edgar Gonzalez, an Army Reserves veteran, stating that he attended to show support for his fellow veterans. He emphasized that veterans are against cuts to benefits and community services to give tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires.
Michael Applegate, a Navy veteran who served on a submarine, expressed his concerns about the moral dilemmas faced by active-duty military personnel who must carry out orders from the White House, which they may find morally wrong. He acknowledged that many veterans are experiencing a crisis of conscience due to these orders.
The rally also drew Kayla Harris, a veteran of the Illinois National Guard, who stated that she is enraged by the Trump administration's actions on immigration and deportation policies. She emphasized that serving in the military was not about causing harm to others or their families.
The event concluded with attendees marching to Daley Plaza, further emphasizing their opposition to the Trump administration's policies.
The rally, organized by About Face: Veterans Against the War, featured dozens of veteran participants holding signs that read "No Cuts, No ICE, No Occupation." Nick Podjasek, an Air Force veteran and healthcare provider at the VA, emphasized the impact of Trump's policies on immigrant communities, stating that ICE has targeted veterans for detention due to their immigration status.
The event focused on multiple issues, including U.S. support for Israel in its war against Hamas and the bombing of suspected drug boats off the coast of Venezuela, all under President Donald Trump's orders. However, a major theme was the use of force and intimidation by ICE in rounding up immigrants, even some American citizens.
Veterans expressed their disdain for Trump's policies, with Edgar Gonzalez, an Army Reserves veteran, stating that he attended to show support for his fellow veterans. He emphasized that veterans are against cuts to benefits and community services to give tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires.
Michael Applegate, a Navy veteran who served on a submarine, expressed his concerns about the moral dilemmas faced by active-duty military personnel who must carry out orders from the White House, which they may find morally wrong. He acknowledged that many veterans are experiencing a crisis of conscience due to these orders.
The rally also drew Kayla Harris, a veteran of the Illinois National Guard, who stated that she is enraged by the Trump administration's actions on immigration and deportation policies. She emphasized that serving in the military was not about causing harm to others or their families.
The event concluded with attendees marching to Daley Plaza, further emphasizing their opposition to the Trump administration's policies.
it's crazy how some politicians think they can just disregard veterans' experiences and opinions. I mean, we're the ones who have fought for our country, and now we're being told to support policies that harm others? It doesn't add up 
. And what really gets me is when Trump says he cares about veterans, but then goes and cuts funding for essential services that we need 
. It's all about priorities, and it seems like the rich get richer while we struggle 
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I mean, can you believe ICE is targeting vets just because of their immigration status?! That's, like, totally messed up 
. I love how they're standing up for their fellow vets and fighting for what's right. We need more people like them who are willing to speak truth to power 
! And can we talk about the moral dilemmas faced by active-duty military personnel? 
. Anyways, I'm so inspired by these vets and their bravery 
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I mean, I get it, Trump's policies are messed up, but can't we just have a more open conversation about how we want to address these issues instead of resorting to rallies and protests? 
And yeah, I'm all for standing up against ICE's targeting of immigrants, but shouldn't we also be talking about the fact that some veterans are actually struggling with PTSD and other mental health issues due to their time in service? 
It feels like we're just swapping one problem for another... 
. We've seen time and time again how these policies can lead to chaos, division, and harm to innocent people. It's disheartening to see our own veterans speaking out against their country's actions, but ultimately, someone has to say something is wrong 
You know what really got my attention here? These vets are still fighting for a cause 50 years after Vietnam. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for standing up for what you believe in, but can't we move on from the past already? I mean, we're still dealing with similar issues today, and it feels like we're just revisiting old wounds.
it's like, totally unacceptable that he's gonna cut services for vets and ICE is targeting us for detention just because of our immigration status. i mean, come on! we served our country, we deserve better than to be treated like this. i love how many vets showed up to support each other and stand up against the injustice - it gives me hope that maybe we can make some change with our voices 
I mean, come on... veterans against the war... it's like they're saying "Hey, we may have fought for our country, but we didn't exactly agree with everything the government did afterwards 
". But seriously, it's great that these guys are speaking out and showing their support for fellow veterans. I'm not sure what's more ironic though - a group of people who have seen some of the worst stuff in war, protesting against cuts to services for them? It's like they're saying "Hey, we're the ones who need the help... but not too much, because we're already pretty tough guys 
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I mean, who needs all those politicians running around? Can't they just let veterans do what we do best - complain loudly and carry our complaints in a nice big sign 
. I mean, we all know the VA is already struggling, so what's next - cutting funding for mental health services because it's "too expensive"?
they're targeting vets like edgar said and detaining people in the middle of nowhere 
even americans living here are being rounded up!! 
and then we gotta pay tax breaks to billionaires 
(Just kidding, sort of). Anyway, kudos to all the veterans who spoke out against those policies, especially Nick Podjasek, who's clearly not afraid to speak truth to power... or at least, that's what his sign says 
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and honestly, who are these vets getting tax breaks from?!? it's time for a change, fam 