Chicago City Wire

Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed a new executive order aimed at protecting the right to protest in Chicago. The ‘Right to Protest’ executive order builds on the mayor’s Protecting Chicago Initiative and is intended to ensure that the Chicago Police Department (CPD) upholds residents’ First Amendment rights, even if there is interference from federal authorities.

“Chicago has long been a center of civic action, from the labor uprisings of the Haymarket era to the Civil Rights movement, and today is no different,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The City of Chicago has proven time and time again that we can safeguard demonstrations of any size while protecting First Amendment rights. With this Executive Order, we affirm that Chicago will remain a place where democracy and freedom reign. Today, we proclaim that all residents and visitors can peacefully assemble, petition their government, and speak freely in our city. This executive action is about being proactive so that we are prepared for any possible large-scale demonstration in response to the increasingly reckless federal government.”

The executive order instructs CPD to work with protest organizers if federal law enforcement disrupts lawful protests. Together they would develop an alternative plan—such as finding other locations—that allows demonstrators to achieve their objectives while maintaining public safety.

Any plan created by CPD and community members must protect constitutional rights under the First Amendment while adhering to reasonable restrictions regarding time, place, and manner.

This move follows recent incidents where federal law enforcement used force against people protesting outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement site in the Chicago area.

CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling has led efforts to strengthen relationships between police and community activists. These partnerships have contributed to mostly peaceful demonstrations in recent years with minimal disruption for city residents.

Officials pointed out last year’s Democratic National Convention as an example where protests remained largely peaceful with few arrests and little need for federal involvement.

The full text of the signed executive order will be made available on the City Clerk’s website.