On Tuesday night, June 10, thousands gathered at Federal Plaza under the iconic ‘The Flamingo’ arch to express their dissent against President Donald Trump’s immigrant policies, which include aggressive ICE raids and deportations.
Chants filled the air, with demonstrators repeatedly echoing slogans such as ‘No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA,’ ‘Move cops, get out the way,’ and ‘Power to the people; no one is illegal.’ The crowd marched from Federal Plaza to Grant Park, eventually making their way onto DuSable Lake Shore Drive during rush hour, effectively disrupting commuter traffic.
Protesters carried a variety of handmade signs showcasing messages like ‘Resist,’ ‘Nobody is illegal,’ and ‘Let in the light.’ Reports from ABC 7 noted that at one point, a car drove through a section of the crowd, although fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Orson Orozco, a Chicago resident and actor with a decade of experience in the city, participated in the protest to show support for the immigrant community. ‘They are not alone,’ Orozco remarked, adding, ‘I came from a family of immigrants, and I won’t leave any of them alone.’
Retired couple Mark and Kathy Kuehner traveled from Blue Island to join the protest. Sitting in folding chairs, they held signs representing their beliefs. Kathy expressed her pride in the younger generation participating in the protests, stating, ‘I am really proud of these young people. They are bright, they’re educated and they are standing up for the rights of everyone.’
Mark Kuehner shared his thoughts on the current climate in America regarding immigration rights. ‘This is a time to stand up for immigrants’ rights and the right to protest,’ he said, reflecting on the treatment of immigrants. ‘The way immigrants have been treated is terrible… It’s not new with Trump, but he’s doing a bunch of extra terrible things.’
This protest in Chicago is part of a larger movement, echoing similar demonstrations across the United States, fueled by outrage over the Trump administration’s immigration actions. These include the recent decision to deploy National Guard troops and Marines in Los Angeles. While the majority of protests have remained peaceful, some have escalated into violence, leading to looting and clashes with law enforcement.
Among the attendees at the Chicago protest was Elizabeth Albert from the Hyde Park neighborhood, who expressed her personal connection to the cause. ‘For me, it’s personal,’ she shared, referring to her undocumented family member who is a father to two young American children. Although Albert’s family hasn’t been targeted by ICE yet, she admitted to feeling fear for their safety. ‘I am grateful that that has not happened, but I am fearful,’ she said while displaying two signs that read, ‘My father did not risk his life fighting Nazis in WWII so that I could bow to a neo-fascist’ and ‘Forcing people into the shadows has never made anyone safe.’
Another protest attendee, Miel Ortiz, proudly noted the diversity among the demonstrators, stating it made her feel ‘warmhearted.’ As a first-generation descendant of immigrants, Ortiz emphasized that immigrants shouldn’t face hostility from the federal government. ‘They have done nothing but work hard,’ she insisted.
The protest at Federal Plaza was organized by the Chicago branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which has coordinated similar rallies across the nation, including in cities such as Atlanta, Denver, Boston, and Washington D.C.
Earlier that day, protests had also taken place at Adams and Wabash and Chicago’s Immigration Court on East Monroe Street, as reported by WBEZ. Following the recent targeting of individuals checking in at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the South Loop, more protests are anticipated in the coming weekend. Scheduled for Saturday, June 14, the ‘No Kings’ marches will occur in various states in response to President Trump’s impending military parade in Washington, D.C.
Reporting by Anastaia Mccarthy
Copy edited by Vanessa Orozco
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