Hundreds of Chicagoans gathered in Water Tower Park and other locations throughout the city to denounce the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the involvement of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in killings, including the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Silverio Villegas González. The protesters, who included students, community leaders, and families affected by ICE policies, called for an end to the Trump administration's "war on immigrants" and demanded action to address the root causes of migration.
The protests, which were organized in part by local anti-ICE groups, took place during a national day of action against ICE policies. The event was marked by chants, signs, and speeches calling for an end to deportations, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and greater protections for asylum seekers.
State Representative Simmons, who attended the rally in Edgewater, criticized President Donald Trump for "weaponizing" the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. He also shared his personal connection to those seeking refuge in the United States, citing his own family's experience as an Ethiopian asylum-seeker.
Organizers mentioned another protest planned for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19, and said that they would continue to demonstrate until their demands are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The protests come as part of a growing movement against ICE policies in Chicago and beyond. Last year, similar demonstrations took place across the city, calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers.
In Edgewater, residents brought their children to educate them on the importance of exercising their right to protest. "We're all dealing with this feeling of helplessness," said Andy Mitchell, who attended the rally with his family. "This is an opportunity to get together with neighbors and use our voice while we still can."
In Uptown, Jillian Estanich, 45, said she was motivated to attend after seeing footage of Renee Nicole Good's death. "I'm struggling to go on with my day," she said. "How do I keep going to the grocery store? How do I keep going to work? How do I keep enjoying time with my friends or going to a Broadway musical when I feel like the country is imploding around us?"
The protests also highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by immigrant families in Chicago, who are often separated from their loved ones due to ICE policies. The rallies called for greater protections and support for these families.
As the movement against ICE continues to grow, organizers say that they will continue to demonstrate until their demands are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The protests come as part of a growing national movement against ICE policies, which have been widely criticized by human rights groups and advocacy organizations. The rallies are calling for an end to deportations, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and greater protections for asylum seekers.
In addition to the downtown rally in Water Tower Park, similar events took place at other locations throughout the city, including the Chicago Board of Trade building and the Union League Club. The protests were attended by people from all walks of life, including students, community leaders, families affected by ICE policies, and human rights advocates.
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The protests come as part of a growing national movement against ICE policies, which have been widely criticized by human rights groups and advocacy organizations. The rallies are calling for an end to deportations, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and greater protections for asylum seekers.
In addition to the downtown rally in Water Tower Park, similar events took place at other locations throughout the city, including the Chicago Board of Trade building and the Union League Club. The protests were attended by people from all walks of life, including students, community leaders, families affected by ICE policies, and human rights advocates.
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The protests come as part of a growing national movement against ICE policies, which have been widely criticized by human rights groups and advocacy organizations. The rallies are calling for an end to deportations, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and greater protections for asylum seekers.
In addition to the downtown rally in Water Tower Park, similar events took place at other locations throughout the city, including the Chicago Board of Trade building and the Union League Club. The protests were attended by people from all walks of life, including students, community leaders, families affected by ICE policies, and human rights advocates.
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest
The protests, which were organized in part by local anti-ICE groups, took place during a national day of action against ICE policies. The event was marked by chants, signs, and speeches calling for an end to deportations, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and greater protections for asylum seekers.
State Representative Simmons, who attended the rally in Edgewater, criticized President Donald Trump for "weaponizing" the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. He also shared his personal connection to those seeking refuge in the United States, citing his own family's experience as an Ethiopian asylum-seeker.
Organizers mentioned another protest planned for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19, and said that they would continue to demonstrate until their demands are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The protests come as part of a growing movement against ICE policies in Chicago and beyond. Last year, similar demonstrations took place across the city, calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers.
In Edgewater, residents brought their children to educate them on the importance of exercising their right to protest. "We're all dealing with this feeling of helplessness," said Andy Mitchell, who attended the rally with his family. "This is an opportunity to get together with neighbors and use our voice while we still can."
In Uptown, Jillian Estanich, 45, said she was motivated to attend after seeing footage of Renee Nicole Good's death. "I'm struggling to go on with my day," she said. "How do I keep going to the grocery store? How do I keep going to work? How do I keep enjoying time with my friends or going to a Broadway musical when I feel like the country is imploding around us?"
The protests also highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by immigrant families in Chicago, who are often separated from their loved ones due to ICE policies. The rallies called for greater protections and support for these families.
As the movement against ICE continues to grow, organizers say that they will continue to demonstrate until their demands are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The protests come as part of a growing national movement against ICE policies, which have been widely criticized by human rights groups and advocacy organizations. The rallies are calling for an end to deportations, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and greater protections for asylum seekers.
In addition to the downtown rally in Water Tower Park, similar events took place at other locations throughout the city, including the Chicago Board of Trade building and the Union League Club. The protests were attended by people from all walks of life, including students, community leaders, families affected by ICE policies, and human rights advocates.
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The protests come as part of a growing national movement against ICE policies, which have been widely criticized by human rights groups and advocacy organizations. The rallies are calling for an end to deportations, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and greater protections for asylum seekers.
In addition to the downtown rally in Water Tower Park, similar events took place at other locations throughout the city, including the Chicago Board of Trade building and the Union League Club. The protests were attended by people from all walks of life, including students, community leaders, families affected by ICE policies, and human rights advocates.
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The protests come as part of a growing national movement against ICE policies, which have been widely criticized by human rights groups and advocacy organizations. The rallies are calling for an end to deportations, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and greater protections for asylum seekers.
In addition to the downtown rally in Water Tower Park, similar events took place at other locations throughout the city, including the Chicago Board of Trade building and the Union League Club. The protests were attended by people from all walks of life, including students, community leaders, families affected by ICE policies, and human rights advocates.
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest. "We'll be here tomorrow." "We'll be here every single day until we win."
The movement against ICE is gaining momentum, with organizers calling for an end to deportations and greater protections for asylum seekers. The rallies are a call to action for those who want to see change in the country's immigration policies.
As the protests continue, organizers say that they will keep pushing for their demands until they are met. "We'll be here today," Hodzic said at the downtown protest
what's next? Another bunch of Americans complaining about Trumps policies? Like, come on guys, he's been outta office for like 4 yrs already 
and meanwhile the real issue is people losing their lives because of ICE policies. Can we please focus on that instead of just whining about politicians?
this is so messed up can't believe people have to fight for something as basic as human rights 
and the fact that Trump is just kinda letting it all slide is just insane what's wrong with him? 
I don't know if these protests are really going to make a difference. It feels like we're just shouting into the void with no one listening. I mean, sure, it's great that people are speaking out and demanding change, but what's the end goal here? Is this just a way for politicians to placate their base while doing absolutely nothing about the underlying issues? 
I'm so tired of all these anti-ICE rallies. Can't people just do their own research and come to their own conclusions? It's always the same old narrative: "the system is broken" or "we need stricter immigration laws." Meanwhile, nobody's talking about the economic benefits of a more open border policy 
. And don't even get me started on how ridiculous it is that everyone assumes undocumented immigrants are automatically entitled to citizenship just because they're fleeing violence in their home country. Prioritize personal responsibility and self-sufficiency, am I right? 
This is such a tough situation... I think we need to listen to both sides and try to find some common ground. I mean, we all want what's best for our country and its people, right? 
But at the same time, we can't just ignore the struggles of those who are seeking refuge here.
And I get why some people want to protest against ICE policies. It seems unfair that families are being torn apart, and that they're not getting the help they need.
We need to find a way to address the root causes of migration and make sure everyone has access to resources and support.
. I think what's most frustrating about this whole situation is that we're not just talking about a specific policy or issue, but the feelings of fear and helplessness that come with it 
. Like, how do you even deal with knowing that you could be separated from your family at any moment? 
. Can't we just have a real conversation about how we want to treat each other as human beings? 
The protests are a reminder that our actions have consequences, that the lives we affect will be lived or lost in an instant. We need to choose compassion over cruelty, understanding over xenophobia... 
. Education is key here - as we're seeing with families bringing their kids to rallies like the one in Edgewater, teaching them about activism and civic engagement 
.
. It's time for some real policy changes, not just a bunch of symbolic gestures 
.
️.
. We drove to the beach and spent hours soaking up the sun and playing in the waves. My youngest kid is totally obsessed with collecting seashells now, it's hilarious 
It's like a whole different world! Anyway, back to Chicago protests...