On Tuesday afternoon, Chicago was the scene of significant demonstrations as thousands gathered to protest the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration raids.
The event took a dangerous turn when a driver plowed into a group of protesters in the Loop, striking at least one individual.
Reports indicate that the driver was caught between police vehicles on State Street. Officers attempted to redirect her away from the crowd, instructing her to turn right onto Monroe Street. However, the driver ignored the officers’ commands and instead turned left, accelerating into the crowd.
Despite efforts from a police officer who tried to reach the driver’s side door in an attempt to stop her, the driver fled the scene. Shortly after the vehicle crashed into the crowd, a woman was reportedly struck and subsequently fell to the ground, prompting immediate assistance from nearby protesters.
As of late Tuesday night, the Chicago police had yet to provide information regarding the driver, and it was unclear whether anyone required hospitalization due to the incident.
This chaotic moment occurred amid two separate protests against recent arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that converged into a larger rally. The protests were part of a series of demonstrations aimed at supporting immigrant communities in Chicago.
Tensions were palpable, with skirmishes reported between police and protesters. Officers equipped with batons attempted to maintain order while protesters yelled phrases such as “no violence” and “let him go” when police attempted to detain a man in a bicycle helmet.
Although several arrests were made, the exact number has not been disclosed by the police.
The protests were largely in response to expanding immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration. The administration has been known for its aggressive stance on immigration, leading to an increase in arrests that federal agents must carry out daily.
One of the first demonstrations began with a few hundred participants outside the immigration court located at 50 E. Adams St. From there, the crowd marched toward Federal Plaza at 230 S. Dearborn St., where they merged with a larger group of protesters.
The sheer number of participants overwhelmed the streets of the Loop, disrupting CTA bus service and causing a standstill on DuSable Lake Shore Drive near Grant Park as demonstrators created a blockade.
Among the protesters was Ivanna Vidal, a 19-year-old from West Lawn. She had been leaving her job in the downtown area when she encountered the marching crowd and felt compelled to join.
Vidal, a first-generation citizen with Mexican immigrant parents, was particularly passionate about advocating for immigrant rights, stressing the importance of solidarity.
“My family is safe, but there are many who aren’t,” she expressed. “This is impacting our community, and we need to stand up for those who can’t speak up for themselves.”
Also participating in the protests was Lizbeth Rios, a 25-year-old from Gage Park. Rios conveyed her commitment to fighting for her undocumented mother who immigrated to Chicago from Mexico over three decades ago.
“If I don’t speak up for her, who will?” Rios asked rhetorically.
While Rios acknowledged the public demonstrations happening throughout the country, she expressed skepticism about their effectiveness in prompting meaningful policy changes.
“I think that unless you’re undocumented, or know someone who is, you’ll never truly understand or feel like us who are out here today,” she remarked.
Families and friends, along with children, were seen participating in the protest. A migrant woman was even observed selling candy as she carried a child on her back amidst the crowd.
Maria Johnson, 23, emphasized the importance of compassion. “I think that everybody deserves a chance,” she stated, lamenting the difficult realities many face due to the raids.
For many, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have vividly illustrated the harsh realities of immigration enforcement, and Johnson expressed her discontent with the administration’s policies.
As she candidly reflected, “It’s upsetting. I just don’t think that’s the America I thought I was going to have to deal with.”
Joining the marchers were Mariana Gonzalez and Lizbeth Alvarez, both 16, who felt compelled to raise their voices against the raids, particularly as their immigrant parents were unable to participate actively in the demonstrations.
Mariana observed, “I thought the raids would stop, but they’re just getting worse.”
Lizbeth added, “No matter how small, we’re using our voices, and it sends a message.”
As the protests grew, they also highlighted solidarity with similar movements nationwide, particularly referencing recent protests in Los Angeles.
Organizers emphasized that their actions were a part of a coordinated effort against ICE and National Guard activities that were perceived as aggressive towards immigrant communities.
In the wake of President Donald Trump deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles without the authorization of California Governor Gavin Newsom, tensions skyrocketed, heightening the urgency for protests across the nation.
In response to the controversial military presence, Newsom sought a federal court ruling to block the use of the National Guard and Marines in immigration enforcement, underlining the escalating conflict between state and federal interests.
The week of protests showcased the galvanizing nature of immigration policy under President Trump, with advocacy organizations spearheading initiatives such as the upcoming mass “No Kings Day of Defiance” scheduled for Saturday.
This event is meant to oppose ICE arrests and the overarching policies of the Trump administration, with similar protests anticipated in over 1,000 cities across the country.
In a statement to the public regarding their plans, organizers criticized the portrayal of Los Angeles residents as disruptors of their communities, asserting that the reality involved peaceful and lawful protests against systemic abuses of power.
As regional and national protests continue to grow, the complexities of immigration policy in the United States remain a focal point of societal debate, driving advocacy efforts across diverse communities.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/06/10/thousands-rally-downtown-immigration-protests
