Hundreds of people braved freezing temperatures to protest outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, calling for an end to immigration enforcement actions that have sparked nationwide protests. The rally was held on a frigid Saturday morning, with over 200 participants gathered at 1930 Beach St.
American Opposition founder Carlos Álvarez-Aranyos spoke to the crowd, criticizing the Trump administration's actions as spreading fear through communities instead of making them safer. He called out leaders who trade cruelty for applause and shame those who spread lies about immigration enforcement being a means to make society stronger.
The rally was held in response to the deaths of dozens of immigrants in custody, including Renee Nicole Good, whose killing by an ICE agent in Minneapolis sparked outrage across the country. Silverio Villegas González's fatal shooting by federal agents in Franklin Park months earlier also fueled the protests.
Protesters, some bundled up and holding upside-down American flags and signs that read "ICE melts in the hands of the people" and "ICE out," showed solidarity with communities targeted by federal officers. Eva Stancey, 54, of Naperville attended the rally, stating her son lives just eight blocks away from where Good was killed and citing how the administration's actions only spread fear.
Melissa Espinoza, 45, echoed these sentiments, saying communities needed to stick together and "fight the good fight" in the face of a system that terrorizes them. She expressed disappointment with those who don't acknowledge reality and instead support an administration that claims to protect but actually harms.
The rally demonstrated a sense of resilience among protesters, despite being asked to show up in freezing temperatures. The event highlighted the ongoing concerns about immigration enforcement actions and the need for collective action against policies perceived as cruel and ineffective.
American Opposition founder Carlos Álvarez-Aranyos spoke to the crowd, criticizing the Trump administration's actions as spreading fear through communities instead of making them safer. He called out leaders who trade cruelty for applause and shame those who spread lies about immigration enforcement being a means to make society stronger.
The rally was held in response to the deaths of dozens of immigrants in custody, including Renee Nicole Good, whose killing by an ICE agent in Minneapolis sparked outrage across the country. Silverio Villegas González's fatal shooting by federal agents in Franklin Park months earlier also fueled the protests.
Protesters, some bundled up and holding upside-down American flags and signs that read "ICE melts in the hands of the people" and "ICE out," showed solidarity with communities targeted by federal officers. Eva Stancey, 54, of Naperville attended the rally, stating her son lives just eight blocks away from where Good was killed and citing how the administration's actions only spread fear.
Melissa Espinoza, 45, echoed these sentiments, saying communities needed to stick together and "fight the good fight" in the face of a system that terrorizes them. She expressed disappointment with those who don't acknowledge reality and instead support an administration that claims to protect but actually harms.
The rally demonstrated a sense of resilience among protesters, despite being asked to show up in freezing temperatures. The event highlighted the ongoing concerns about immigration enforcement actions and the need for collective action against policies perceived as cruel and ineffective.
People are really stepping up to protest these harsh immigration policies... Interesting how some people think they're doing what's best but end up causing more harm than good 
. It's like, we gotta stand up 4 our communities, especially those targeted by ICE. My grandpa used 2 immigrate 2 this country with nothing, & now it seems like they're sending their own kids back 2 Mexico or worse 
. The rallies are a great way 4 people 2 come together & show that we care about each other's humanity 
. We can't let fear rule our lives; we gotta be brave & stand up 4 what's just!
I don't know if the "ICE melts in the hands of the people" thing is a good idea... like, isn't that just gonna make things more chaotic? Can someone pls explain to me how destroying property is supposed to help communities feel safer? 
. It's time we shift the narrative from fear-mongering to actual solutions. We need leaders who prioritize community over cruelty and facts over fiction. These ICE enforcement actions are not making our society stronger, they're just spreading hate and fear. We gotta stick together and fight for a system that actually protects everyone, not just the privileged few 
.
. I mean, those ICE policies have been super messed up lately and it's time someone spoke out. But honestly, can we really say protesting is the answer? Like, what about all the times it just makes things worse? 
- all that fear & stress ain't doing nobody no good 
. I can only imagine how Renee Nicole Good's family must be feeling 
. It's just not right that these deaths happened in the first place - we should be working towards making our communities safer, not scaring people into submission 
. I think a lot of us would be inspired by folks like Silverio Villegas González who showed courage even in the face of federal agents 
. We need more people speaking out against these cruel policies and advocating for humanity 
. They're trying to distract us from the real issue - who's really calling the shots around here? I mean, think about it, an event like this, hundreds of people gathering, all on the same day, no coincidence 
. They're just pawns in a much larger game. I'm not buying it 
.
. These deaths in custody are absolutely devastating, and it's clear that policies like this create more problems than they solve 
. I love that these protesters showed up despite the cold, though - it just goes to show that when we stand together for what's right, we can make a real difference 
. The way people are fighting back against this administration's brutal policies is giving me hope for a better future. I mean, it's crazy that protesters had to brave freezing temps just to make their voices heard. But you know what? It's not about the cold – it's about the warmth of community and solidarity 
. We can't let fear win; we need to stand together and demand change! 
. These people are putting their lives on the line to fight for a better future, and it's just not right that they have to do it in freezing temperatures 
.