Members of the National Guard are deploying to Chicago to help police keep order as the city braces for another night of destructive riots. Chicago residents woke up on Sunday to the aftermath of violent riots that left shattered glass, graffiti, and widespread destruction of popular businesses in its wake.
As businesses board up windows following Saturday's violent riots, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has asked Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for help protecting the city from another night of devastation. The governor "has ordered a contingent of the National Guard to maintain a limited presence to support our police department in order to not have a repeat of what we saw last night," Mayor Lightfoot said. Gov. Pritzker said he would activate 375 soldiers of the Illinois National Guard.
In addition, Chicago's overnight curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. will remain in effect.
"I know many people are feeling scared and unsettled but I make no apologies," Mayor Lightfoot said. "I am always going to make the tough and necessary choice. Chicago is strong. This is our home. This is a city that we built with our blood sweat and tears."
On Saturday, a crowd of several thousand rioters wreaked havoc in downtown Chicago by overturning police cars and throwing bottles, fireworks, and other items at police officers. A group of police officers was attacked and dragged down the sidewalk as a crowd shouted obscenities at them. One sergeant reportedly suffered a broken arm during an altercation with rioters near Trump Tower.
More than 100 rioters were arrested during riots in Chicago on Friday night.
On Saturday, President Trump warned on Twitter that liberal governors and mayors needed to toughen their approach to the destructive riots or the federal government would be forced to respond.