Not My City, Not My Country: On Freedom of Speech and Shutting Down Trump Rally in Chicago

Malcolm X said: “We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity.” I carried this message on a sign at the protest against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s rally in Chicago on Friday.

In later remarks about the protest, Trump called the Chicago protesters “thugs.” We clearly have a very different definition of a thug.

When news of the Trump rally at UIC Pavilion first broke, a complete outcry occurred not only from the students attending the very diverse university, but people like me who work within the community to serve various needs. Chicago is not perfect, and we have our fair share of politicians who are problematic. However, this Windy City I call home is not a breeding ground for the type of widely directed hatred of minorities as seen by the Trump campaign.

A movement was formed a week before the rally by various organizations’ leaders. The consistent message in all communications around the planning was that of peacefully elevating our voices.

When I went to sleep the night before the Trump protest, I was feeling torn because of my passion to be part of a movement to stop the destructive rhetoric being spewed, and being with my daughter who had a fever and would need my attention. I woke up the next morning and had a strong feeling that I needed to go. I needed to preserve a better America for my kids, for our kids. I needed to use my voice to be part of a collective voice of Americans standing together against this oppression.

I knew that this was a defining moment. And when we looked back on history, I wanted to know I tried. I got up and I tried to do something.

The entire time I was protesting outside of the Pavilion along with thousands of protesters, the mood was peaceful, energetic, and we treated each other like long lost family members. I felt connected to complete strangers, a sense of togetherness with my fellow Americans that I didn’t realize I was longing. The diversity of all the people gathered — Latino, Black, Asian, White, Muslim, Christian, Jewish and so many others — are what actually make our nation so great.

I was asked by many, including a variety of media outlets: “Why do you want to shut down [Donald Trump’s] First Amendment rights. Doesn’t he have a right to speak? Shouldn’t I want to hear other people’s opinions?” Let me be clear: I don’t want to shut down anyone’s ability to speak or engage in healthy discourse. However, there is a big difference between differing opinions and fighting words.

The First Amendment protects our individual rights from the government. Our ability to protest against another citizen’s hateful speech does not hinder anyone’s First Amendment rights. When a leading presidential candidate, who commands a national platform, makes references to executing Muslims with bullets dipped in pig’s blood, encouraging supporters to “rough up” black protesters and calling all Mexicans rapists, he is directly inciting violence.

So let’s be clear: Protesters objecting to hate speech do not incite violence; it brings accountability to Trump. He is certainly not making this country great, but making this country hate.

Chicagoans came out peacefully and strong to show light, understanding and unity against people like Donald Trump, who are filled with hateful rhetoric and bigotry. You will no longer bully us. You will no longer try to divide us.

Not in my city, not in my country.

Suroor Raheemullah is a community organizer and board member of Muslim Women’s Alliance, a non profit focused on empowering and developing women.