We take from The Other 98% Facebook page an example of creative resistance to ICE violence.
Chicago trolls Trump by naming a city snowplow “Abolish ICE” in the middle of a federal immigration crackdown. Chicago’s annual You Name a Snowplow contest just became a political flamethrower.
Voters, fed up with the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement blitz in their city and suburbs, cast the highest number of submissions in the contest’s history, more than 13,300 names and 39,000 votes, and the runaway winner was “Abolish ICE.”
“Operation Midway Blitz,” launched in September 2025 by the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, was supposed to target dangerous criminals, but it sprawled into mass arrests, widespread fear in immigrant communities, and at least one fatal shooting by ICE agents in Franklin Park.
Rather than dodge the controversy, city officials embraced it. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson thanked residents for their creativity and civic pride and signed off on the name that turns a utility vehicle into a symbol of resistance.
The contempt for federal enforcement isn’t just symbolic either. Chicago enacted an ICE On Notice executive order directing local police to document and investigate alleged misconduct by federal agents after months of enforcement actions.
Across Latino-majority neighborhoods like Little Village and Pilsen the effects of the raids are still visible, with residents saying the federal presence disrupted daily life, chilled business, and sent families into hiding.
A city snowplow now carries a message aimed straight at Washington. In the face of mass raids and federal muscle, Chicago voters answered with mockery and defiance. “Abolish ICE” isn’t just a punchline on a truck, it’s a reminder that communities can push back, even in the most unexpected ways.
Shout out to Chicago for keeping it real!
