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.
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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.
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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.
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