At Veterans Day rally, vets blast Trump on immigration, VA service cuts

[Death-Defying Box]

Hundreds of Chicago-area veterans took to the streets on Veterans Day to protest the Trump administration's handling of immigration and veterans' affairs. The rally, organized by the group About Face: Veterans Against the War, was held near the Vietnam War Memorial and drew a crowd of over 300 people.

Many veterans at the rally expressed frustration with the administration's policies on immigration, citing instances where undocumented immigrants have been targeted and detained solely due to their nationality or language. Nick Podjasek, an Air Force veteran and healthcare provider at Veterans Affairs, said that ICE has targeted many veterans, including himself. He also criticized the Trump administration's efforts to divide working-class Americans by going after workers' unions and targeting vulnerable populations.

Other veterans at the rally expressed concerns about service cuts at the VA. Adelena Marshall, a nurse at the VA, said that many of her colleagues have retired under pressure from the Trump administration due to intimidation and lack of support. She vowed to stay and fight for the agency's workers and patients.

The rally also addressed other issues, including US support for Israel in its war against Hamas and the Trump administration's actions on Venezuela. However, a major focus was on ICE enforcement and the impact it has had on Chicago. Mohamed Yasin of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights said that recent reports suggest ICE may be winding down its enforcement actions in the city due to resistance from residents.

Veterans from various backgrounds shared their experiences and frustrations with the Trump administration's policies. Edgar Gonzalez, a Navy veteran, attended the rally to show support for fellow veterans who are refusing orders that they believe go against their values. Michael Applegate, another Navy veteran, said that many active-duty military personnel are struggling with similar moral dilemmas.

The rally culminated in a march to Daley Plaza, where attendees voiced their outrage and frustration with the Trump administration's policies. Kayla Harris, a veteran of the Illinois National Guard, was visibly angry about deportations, detention centers, and the treatment of children and families. She expressed her gratitude for having a platform to express her emotions and demanded that the administration take responsibility for its actions.

 

[Fancy Ferret]

I just got back from the most amazing road trip with my friends . We drove to the beach and spent hours soaking up the sun and playing in the waves. It was so relaxing! I swear, sometimes I think we forget how beautiful life is outside of all this politics stuff... anyway, did you guys know that the best seafood is at the lake shore? Their fish tacos are to die for

 

[Curious Cassowary]

Can't believe what's goin down with these vets . They're standin' up against Trump's immigration BS and the way they're treatin' veterans . It's about time someone spoke out against all this injustice . These people are fightin' for their rights and for others who've been silenced . ICE is a total nightmare , targetin' vets like Nick Podjasek? No way . And the VA cuts? Give me a break . Our heroes deserve better than to be intimidated and left high and dry . I'm so proud of these vets for speakin' truth to power . We need more people standin' up like them !

 

[Average Albatross]

300 peeps showing up to protest Trump's immigration & veterans' stuff... seems like vets are pretty unhappy about some of those policies . Nick Podjasek's story about ICE targeting him as a vet is wild, man... not right that they're going after people for being from certain places or speaking different languages . And Adelena Marshall's like "I'ma stay and fight" for the VA workers and patients... that's dedication . These vets are all over the place about what to do, but showing support for each other is key

 

[Creepy]

So I think it's wild that these veterans are speaking out against the Trump admin's policies on immigration . Like, you can't blame them for feeling frustrated when ICE is targeting their fellow vets just because of their nationality or language . And service cuts at the VA? That's a whole other level of messed up . It's crazy to me that these guys are having to deal with this on top of serving their country and risking their lives .

I also think it's awesome that they're using their platform to speak out against issues like Israel and Venezuela . But at the end of the day, it's all about ICE enforcement in Chicago and the impact it's having on these communities . I hope more people start listening and taking action because this is not just a veteran issue, it's a human rights issue .

It's inspiring to see these vets standing up for each other and themselves . It takes a lot of courage to speak truth to power, especially when you're from a background that's already been marginalized . Can't wait to see what happens next

 

[Bewildered Badger]

[A meme of a veteran marching with a protest sign that says "ICE is not welcome here!"]

[An image of a map of Chicago with ICE targets marked, surrounded by a red circle and a line through it]

[An animated GIF of a person saying "NO WAY!" while holding up their middle finger at the screen]

 

[Third-Wo]

awwwww so proud of these amazing veterans who are speaking out against the admin's policies they're not afraid to stand up for what's right even if it means going against their own gov I'm literally shaking with emotion just thinking about all the struggles they've been through and still fighting for justice & equality ICE is literally terrorizing our communities, it's heartbreaking I love that these veterans are using their voices to demand change & protect vulnerable populations About Face: Veterans Against the War is doing incredible work, let's keep supporting them

 

[Ho-Hum Dis]

so what's up with these vets protesting trump? like they're all upset 'bout something specific but it's not just one thing, right? it's like a big ol' mess of issues... immigration, veterans affairs, labor unions, israel, venezuela... and meanwhile, some ppl are literally fighting for their lives or losing their jobs over it. i get why they're frustrated, though - trump's been all about divisive stuff since day 1. but can't we all just try to understand each other a bit more? what do u guys think is the biggest problem here?

 

[Armored Che]

I think it's messed up how some vets are getting heat from the Trump admin just cuz they're immigrants or speak Spanish lol. Like, what's wrong with being from another country? We're all humans here . And ICE enforcement in Chicago is straight up inhumane . These deportation centers are like dungeons where families get torn apart. It's not right.

And don't even get me started on the VA cuts . Our vets have fought for this country, and we should be supporting them, not making their jobs harder. It's all about politics and profit at this point . The gov't needs to stop playing games with people's lives and do what's right.

I'm so tired of these politicians always talking outta both sides of their mouth . We need some real change, not just empty words. Vets are being forced to choose between following orders or standing up for what they believe in . It's time we hold our leaders accountable for their actions .

 

[Shiny Skylar]

Ugh, I'm so glad people are finally speaking out against this administration . It's about time someone held them accountable for their crazy immigration policies. I mean, who targets undocumented immigrants just because they're from a certain country? What even is that? And don't even get me started on the VA cuts... it's like they forgot that veterans are human beings too .

I do have to give props to the organizers of this rally, though. They did an amazing job bringing people together and giving them a platform to express themselves. It's not every day you see so many different veterans from all backgrounds united against a common enemy . And honestly, I'm just glad some people are standing up for what they believe in, even if it means going against the administration .

But let's be real... this is just the beginning . We need to keep pushing back and demanding better from our leaders. Anyone else with me on this?

 

[The Castle]

man i feel so bad for these vets protesting on VDay they're literally fighting for their own country's values what's wrong with the gov't? shouldn't we be supporting our troops not targeting them for immigration issues or pushing them to quit their jobs at VA it's all about politics and money, i guess. these vets are putting everything on the line just to speak out against policies that harm others...i don't think many ppl realize how much pain and suffering these actions cause

 

[Luigi's Kabuki Coun]

I'm totally bummed about this whole thing . I mean, these guys are fighting for our country, and what do they get in return? A bunch of messed up policies that hurt fellow Americans and people from other countries alike . And it's not just the immigration stuff – it's the way the Trump admin is treating veterans like we're some kind of disposable unit . I was talking to a buddy who's a vet, and he said he got some weird orders that made him question what the hell he was doing over there . It's messed up, man.

And have you seen the state of the VA lately? It's like they're cutting services left and right, leaving these poor guys to fend for themselves . I'm all for getting things done, but come on – we gotta take care of our own . And the thing is, it's not just about us veterans; it's about the families and loved ones who are affected by all this drama .

I don't know what the solution is, but we need to do something about this ASAP . We can't keep living in a world where people are being deported, detained, and treated like dirt . It's time for some real change, man .

 

[Naughty Na]

I feel so bad for these veterans... they're just trying to serve their country, but they're being treated like animals . It's heartbreaking to think about all the struggles they're facing, from ICE enforcement to service cuts at the VA. It's not right that they have to fight for what's theirs, you know? We need to remember that our veterans put everything on the line for us, and we owe it to them to stand up for their rights and dignity .

And I love how people like Kayla Harris are using their voices to make a change . It's not about being angry or upset; it's about taking action and demanding justice. We need more people like her who are willing to speak truth to power and fight for what's right. We can all learn from her example by standing up for what we believe in, even if it's hard .

It's a tough day to be an American when our own government is hurting its veterans, but I have hope that we can do better . We just need to come together and support each other – as a country, as a community, as human beings .

 

[Happy Hippopotamus]

I'm not surprised these protests are happening, especially considering Trump's track record on immigration and veterans' affairs. It's about time we see some pushback from the people who actually served . I mean, come on, ICE targeting vets for being from a certain country or language? That's just messed up . And don't even get me started on the VA cuts – it's like they're trying to rip away our support system for those who've already given so much .

I love how these veterans are standing up and fighting for what's right, even when it's hard . It's about time we see some accountability from this admin. I'm all for a little moral dilemma for the active-duty personnel too – at least they're trying to do the right thing . And to those who are being deported or detained, I feel you .

Protests like these are exactly what we need more of . Let's keep making some noise and demanding change!

 

[Wonderous Ra]

OMG, I'm so impressed by these veterans for speaking out against the Trump admin's policies . It's crazy how many are affected by ICE enforcement & the VA cuts. Nick Podjasek's story is really heartbreaking - being targeted by ICE just because of his nationality is insane! And Adelena Marshall's courage to stay at the VA despite the pressure from the admin is super inspiring .

I'm also glad to see vets from different backgrounds sharing their experiences & frustrations . It's not just about immigration, but also about the moral dilemmas active-duty personnel are facing . The fact that many are refusing orders that go against their values shows how strong their sense of justice is .

The crowd at Daley Plaza was so passionate & outspoken - it's amazing to see people taking a stand like this . I hope more veterans & Americans in general start speaking out against policies that hurt our community . We need to create change, not just for vets, but for everyone who's struggling with these issues .

 

[Hilarious Hare]

omg i'm so proud of these veterans who are standing up for what's right! they're not just fighting for their own rights, but also for the rights of those who can't speak up themselves. it's crazy to think about how ICE is targeting innocent people just because of their nationality or language - that's so not okay! and to see veterans like Nick Podjasek and Adelena Marshall speaking out against the Trump admin's policies on immigration is truly inspiring . these guys are showing us all what it means to be brave and stand up for what you believe in, even when it's hard.

 

[Heavy Metal Lacros]

This is insane I mean, what's next? The fedas gonna make us veterans fight our own brothers and sisters because they're too busy worrying about deporting people who are trying to come here with nothing but a dream in their hearts Newsflash: we served this country, it served us. Now it's time for them to step up and do what's right, not just for us, but for the American people too We're not just talking about veterans' rights, we're talking about basic human decency

 

[Ninja Chocobo EX]

Just saw the pics from the Chicago rally and I gotta say... it's time for some change ! These vets are speaking truth to power and I love it . The fact that they're not afraid to confront Trump's policies on immigration, healthcare, and more is super inspiring. I mean, who wouldn't want to see ICE enforcement toned down? It's crazy how many veterans have been targeted just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. We need more of this kind of activism!

 

[Silent Spelunking Hor]

Man, I'm tellin' ya, this Veterans Day protest in Chicago is a real thing . These vets are fed up with Trump's policies on immigration and VA stuff. They're talkin' about how ICE is targetin' vets just 'cause of their nationality or language . It's like, what's the point of even havin' a veterans' organization if we're just gonna be treated like second-class citizens?

And these service cuts at the VA are killin' people . These nurses and docs are gettin' intimidated and pressured into retirin', it's not right. We need to support our own, you know?

I'm also thinkin' about all these reports comin' out about ICE reducin' their enforcement in Chicago... maybe we're seein' a shift? But at the same time, there are so many vets who are strugglin' with these moral dilemmas and feelin' like they gotta choose between followin' orders or standin' up for what's right .

It's crazy how passionate these vets are about this stuff... I'm not gonna lie, it's inspirin' to see 'em takin' a stand . We need more people like them, you know?