Chicagoans Demand End to ICE Raids Amidst Nationwide Protests
Chicago, IL — In a powerful demonstration against intensified immigration enforcement, thousands of protesters marched through downtown Chicago, joining a growing national movement demanding the end of ICE raids and immigrant detentions under the Trump administration.
The anti-ICE protest on June 10, 2025, was organized by major immigrant rights groups including the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD), and Warehouse Workers for Justice. Demonstrators filled Michigan Avenue, stopping near Trump Tower, waving signs, chanting “Abolish ICE” and “Immigrants are welcome here,” while calling for humane immigration reform and sanctuary policies in Illinois.
🗣️ Protesters Denounce ICE Raids, Call for Action
The march comes in response to recent ICE raids and arrests targeting undocumented workers and immigrant families across multiple U.S. cities. In Chicago, activists say the fear within immigrant communities is palpable.
Veronica Castro, spokesperson for ICIRR, stated:
“We’re not just marching—we’re demanding an end to terrorizing immigrant families. These ICE operations are tearing lives apart.”
Antonio Gutierrez from OCAD added:
“This is not just about Chicago. This is a nationwide crisis. We stand in solidarity with every family living in fear.”
🚨 Tensions and Arrests
While the protest was largely peaceful, a disturbing incident occurred when a driver plowed through a group of demonstrators at the corner of Monroe and Wabash, injuring a 66-year-old woman. She was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, including a fractured arm. Police are investigating the incident, and the driver is in custody.
Throughout the day and evening, 17 individuals were arrested—some charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Chicago police, working alongside event marshals, maintained rolling street closures and crowd control without major escalation.
🇺🇸 National Protests Escalating
Chicago’s protest is part of a nationwide wave of resistance, with similar demonstrations erupting in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. Activists are planning more actions, including a “No Kings Day” march on June 14, intentionally timed to coincide with a military parade in the capital marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army—an event criticized by protest groups as authoritarian in nature.
🏛️ Local Officials Respond
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement supporting the right to protest and assuring residents that the City of Chicago does not cooperate with ICE detentions. “Chicago will always be a sanctuary city,” he declared.
Activists, however, say more must be done—demanding stronger legal protections, workplace monitoring, and financial support for affected immigrant families.
