Good morning, Chicago. This past weekend, the No Kings protest dominated the conversation as thousands upon thousands of people turned out in the Chicago area, as well as millions nationwide. Our letter writers today have plenty to say about the rallies and marches in Chicago and the suburbs, as does Tribune contributor Christine Ledbetter, a longtime journalist.

Ledbetter has a message for caring but hesitant Americans who haven’t yet shown up at a protest, who haven’t gotten involved in some meaningful way: “To save the First Amendment, self-censoring must end. Turn off your mute.”

In its first piece, the Tribune Editorial Board has thoughts to share about the immigration crackdown. There is no justification for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agents participating in Operation Midway Blitz to forgo wearing body cameras, the board says. “These agents are acting with the authority of the U.S. government and their actions should be recorded and viewed in the clear light of day,” it writes.

In its other editorial, the board considers what Illinois can expect with Stacy Davis Gates assuming the top leadership post for the Illinois Federation of Teachers while also serving as president of the Chicago Teachers Union: “Will the CTU’s influence push more IFT districts toward contentious contract negotiations?”

Elsewhere in Tribune Opinion, repeat contributor Paul Vallas offers what he believes is a pathway out of Chicago’s budget crisis, and foreign affairs columnist Daniel DePetris analyzes the Trump administration’s justification for blowing up boats in the Caribbean to kill alleged drug traffickers.

The air is turning crisper. (I’m not complaining.) I recommend visiting your local cafe and treating yourself to a hot, festive beverage. Pumpkin spice latte for you and Mexican drinking chocolate for me. Yum!

See you tomorrow.

— Colleen Kujawa, opinion editor

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