CHICAGO (WLS) — Protesters demonstrated across the Chicago area Friday ahead of an expected surge in ICE operations this weekend.
Construction crews have erected barricades around the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago’s downtown area in anticipation of an imminent rise in immigration enforcement, potentially starting as early as Saturday.
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On Friday, demonstrators gathered at an ICE processing center in Broadview, opposing its planned role as the central site for processing individuals detained by ICE during the forthcoming enforcement activities.
Protestors, showing some success, managed to turn away a vehicle attempting to enter the facility by obstructing the entrance at Beach Street and refusing to clear the path. Armed with signs and chants, supporters of immigrant rights mobilized on Friday morning, aiming to hinder the operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“When Donald Trump exhausts his list of others to point fingers at, when our state, our city, and our federal government run out of non-white, underprivileged individuals to accuse, they will eventually target you too,” declared protest organizer Rachel Cohen.
In preparation for Friday’s demonstration, officials from the predominantly Black and Latino village secured the building’s windows after federal authorities announced the facility’s designation as a main processing hub, operating daily for the following month and a half.
Two transport vehicles were observed departing the center before daylight. This is part of the immigration enforcement initiative led by Border czar Tom Homan as directed by the president.
“The president said weeks ago, I said weeks ago that with sanctuary cities, how are we going to address it?” border czar Tom Homan said. “We are going to flood the zone.”
Protesters said detainees being processed for transfer are usually held at the facility for no more than a day. But that changed under the Trump administration, with people being held for extended periods in inhumane conditions.
“They’re a great risk of illness injury death losing their livelihood they’re losing their families,” a protester named Jennifer said.
Activists vowed to keep Friday’s protests peaceful as not to give President Trump any excuse to deploy the National Guard to Chicago.
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There were no arrests at the protests. There have been protests at the facility before and demonstrators want it to be closed.
Naval Station Great Lakes will serve as the logistical hub for some 300 federal agents each day carrying out operations in Chicago. But there has already been push back from neighboring suburbs Friday morning before missions even begin.
Demonstrators gathered on overpasses by I-94 in Wilmette and Evanston, holding up signs and flags calling out ICE’s bolstered presence in the area. Some cars driving under the overpass or by the demonstrators could be heard honking in support. Organizers said they plan to be out demonstrating on the overpass throughout September during rush hour in the morning and afternoon.
David Borris with North Shore Says No said the Trump administration has gone too far.
“When they see us up on these overpasses they know they are not alone and they can get out and organize,” Borris said. “It’s neighbor to neighbor, it’s over the backyard fence. It’s what built this country.”
Meanwhile, Illinois Republican chair Kathy Salvi is welcoming the federal support and says Trump is following through on his campaign promises.
“Well within the bounds of law, I think that what American citizens want, what Americans want is crime to be reduced,” Salvi said. “They want to have safe neighborhoods, safe communities, and certainly those people visiting our beautiful city in Chicago deserve to have a beautiful, safe journey to Chicago, and that hasn’t been the case under the leadership of this mayor and this governor, within the bounds of the law.”
Concerns about an increase in ICE activity has also caused the postponement of Chicago’s El Grito Festival. The festival in Grant Park is meant to celebrate Mexico’s Independence. The postponement was announced after organizers got a call from Governor Pritzker.
The festival also put out a statement, calling the postponement “a painful decision, but holding El Grito at this time puts the safety of our community at stake – and that’s a risk we are unwilling to take.”
Chicago police said “regular days off will be cancelled and tour of duty extensions will be implemented for sworn members” from Sept. 12 through Sept. 16.
In preparation for increased federal immigration enforcement, the city of Chicago has an updated website and information hub led by the Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (IMRR). It will highlight services and protections for the city’s immigrant and refugee communities.
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