ICE in Chicago: Faith leaders lead prayer march at Naval Station Great Lakes, demand end to immigration Operation Midway Blitz
Share this @internewscast.com

More rallies are occurring in the Chicago area in response to the federal immigration operation, following confrontations between protesters and agents at the Broadview ICE processing facility on Friday.

On Saturday, faith leaders led a prayer march outside of Naval Station Great lakes, demanding ICE agents leave Illinois.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Demonstrators took to the streets, joined by local faith leaders, community groups, and concerned citizens, to protest heightened immigration enforcement. Their focus was on Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago, where ICE agents are based.

“We will not be silent, and we will not back down,” stated Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson from the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, Illinois.

The prayer march on Saturday afternoon began with clergy coming together for an interfaith action in North Chicago. They are calling for President Donald Trump’s federal immigration agents to leave Illinois.

Rev. Will Esty from North Shore Unitarian Church expressed concern, saying, “It is horrific that we are allowing such organizations to take root in our communities; it shows how deeply this has infiltrated our culture.”

Inspired by the biblical story of Jericho, where the city’s walls fell through divine intervention, marchers circled the entrance to the military base seven times. They hope to end what they see as a campaign of fear and intimidation against immigrant communities.

“The biggest lawbreaker here in the country right now is ICE in the Border Patrol, we give them impunity,” said Pastor Craig Mousin with Wellington United Church in Christ.

RELATED | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates

The group said since the launch of Operation Midway blitz, there’s been an uptick of federal violence, increased detentions and clashes with protestors at the Broadview ICE processing center.

“They got tear gas and hit by masked ICE agents,” community activist Rev. Brendan Curran said. “Let’s shout it out, we walk with you.”

Demonstrators said Saturday’s action was their way of standing with immigrants while denouncing the presence of federal agents in any community.

“I come from cultural, cultural family. My grandparents and great-grandparents were immigrants,” protester Pam Shearman said. “They would never treat it this way.”

Nearly a dozen organizations supported Saturday’s march.

“Moments like these are the ones that really count we are all of our religious leaders all of our all of our allies,” said Joanna Jaimes with Mano a Mano. “It’s a very difficult time.”

The protest was peaceful and there were no arrests. The group said their demonstrations will not end. They are planning more protests in the future.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
USF doctoral students vanish as family says disappearance is 'very suspicious' and 'unusual'

Authorities Detain Suspect Following Disappearance of Two USF Doctoral Students from Tampa Campus and Nearby Residence

An individual has been detained concerning the case of two missing doctoral…
Prosecutors seek 30-year prison term for South Korea's Yoon for drone flights over Pyongyang

Prosecutors Request 30-Year Sentence for South Korea’s Yoon Over Drone Operations in Pyongyang

On Friday, South Korean prosecutors called for a 30-year prison sentence for…
Ex-NYPD cop convicted of perjury for lying about circumstances of 2009 Bronx shooting

Former NYPD Officer Found Guilty of Perjury in Controversial 2009 Bronx Shooting Case

A former officer of the NYPD was convicted of perjury on Friday,…
Trump Extends Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire 3 Weeks After Landmark White House Talks

Trump Prolongs Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Following Pivotal White House Discussions Three Weeks Ago

On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire between…
Extra large pizza fest serves up slices from 40 different spots in LA this weekend

Indulge in LA’s Ultimate Pizza Extravaganza: 40 Pizzerias Unite for an Epic Slice Fest!

This weekend, downtown Los Angeles will transform into a pizza lover’s paradise…
Elizabeth Smart flexes new chapter, racks up bodybuilding honors in stunning transformation

From Survivor to Champion: Elizabeth Smart’s Inspiring Bodybuilding Journey

Elizabeth Smart, renowned for her remarkable survival story, is venturing into an…
Activists erupt as rescued ducks are sold off like cheap chicken

Activists Rally Against Sale of Rescued Ducks, Equating Treatment to Low-Grade Poultry

A mass surrender of ducks in Southern California has sparked controversy after…
Connecticut school system lets students hide trans status from parents, complaint claims: 'Turns the statute on its head'

Connecticut Schools Allegedly Allow Students to Conceal Gender Identity from Parents, Sparking Controversy

WASHINGTON — On Friday, a prestigious school district in Connecticut faced a…
House considers bill to create 'buffer zones' outside houses of worship to ward off protest chaos

House Proposes Bill for ‘Buffer Zones’ to Safeguard Worship Spaces from Protest Disruptions

Congress is currently weighing a new legislative proposal that aims to establish…
Russian attack on Odesa, Ukraine, kills married couple, officials say

Tragic Russian Strike on Odesa Claims Lives of Beloved Couple: Ukrainian Officials Report

Ukrainian authorities reported that a Russian drone assault on the southern city…
California man accused of killing ex-wife and new boyfriend makes bold move in chilling  body-cam video

Chilling Body-Cam Footage Reveals California Man’s Shocking Move in Ex-Wife and Boyfriend Murder Case

Footage from a body camera reveals the subdued arrest of a 43-year-old…
Award-winning university chef allegedly beat his wife to death at campus hotel: officials

University Chef Accused of Wife’s Fatal Assault at Campus Hotel, Authorities Report

A chef employed by the University of Massachusetts Amherst is facing charges…