CHICAGO (WLS) — Tensions have escalated in Chicago as residents gathered for another round of anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests on Thursday, amid warnings of heightened ICE operations in the city.
Demonstrators rallied near Ida B. Wells Drive and Michigan Avenue, where organizers expressed the urgency of speaking out against potential raids expected to resemble recent actions in Los Angeles.
As hundreds mobilized around 5 p.m. in the Loop, their initial plan was to march north towards Trump Tower, although it remained unclear whether law enforcement would allow them to proceed.
Protester Ann-Louise Haak emphasized, “This is a time for people to take to the streets and speak up to defend our democracy, to defend our neighbors.”
The demonstrators moved up Michigan Avenue before eventually returning back towards the Loop shortly before 6 p.m., vocally opposing ICE activities that many feared would intensify.
Veronica Castro with the Illinois Coalition For Immigrant and Refugee Rights led chants declaring, “ICE out of Chicago! ICE out of Illinois! ICE out of everywhere!”
Despite the presence of a lone counter-protester, the rally continued without interruption.
Earlier in the day, several immigrant organizations had called for action, urging the Trump administration to reconsider the ongoing ICE raids that have sparked widespread unrest across the country. Recent incidents in Los Angeles have drawn significant attention, with some Chicago protests also leading to arrests — 17 demonstrators were taken into custody on Tuesday.
Marcos Ceniceros from Warehouse Workers for Justice stated, “We are preparing for workplace raids across the region just like we saw in LA last week,” while revealing that tactical teams and additional resources would be utilized for the upcoming ICE operations.
The fears of impending raids contributed to organizing the anti-ICE rally on Thursday afternoon, presented as a crucial opportunity to rally against these policies.
Lawrence Benito of the Illinois Coalition For Immigrant And Refugee Rights stated, “Later today, the communities and allies will be showing up to see that ICE is not welcome here in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois.”
These protests coincide with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s warnings about an imminent increase in ICE actions within the city, identifying Chicago as one of five ‘blue’ cities targeted by the Trump administration for intensified enforcement.
City officials maintain that local and state laws prohibit the Chicago Police Department from cooperating with ICE operations; however, they acknowledge that officers may be present during ICE raids to manage crowd control if necessary for public safety.
Antonio Gutierrez from Organize Communities Against Deportations shared troubling details regarding the detention of one of his members, a mother of three currently held in a Kentucky jail under what he described as inhumane conditions.
Gutierrez asserted, “Our democracy and freedom is on the line. This is a pivot point for our society,” further describing the living conditions as reminiscent of concentration camps during the Holocaust.
He criticized the lack of basic necessities, noting that detainees were sleeping on concrete floors and that a single mattress was being shared among 20 mothers with no blankets provided.
As protests unfolded in Chicago, additional rallies were announced for the coming weekend, with plans for a “No Kings Day” event scheduled for Saturday in cities across the nation, including Chicago.
In preparation for any potential unrest during protests, the Chicago Police Department stated they are deploying all necessary resources, relying on their extensive experience managing large crowds to maintain order.
In an incident during Tuesday’s protests, Chicago police confirmed 17 arrests, highlighting the tensions surrounding these demonstrations.
A 66-year-old woman reported injuries after a car sped towards her while she was at the back of the crowd, illustrating the dangerous climate surrounding the protests.
As Chicago braces for increased ICE operations, the city’s residents remain steadfast in their commitment to vocalizing their opposition to raids and advocating for immigrant rights.
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