Thousands marched against possible ICE raids in Chicago

Thousands marched against possible ICE raids in Chicago

POSTED 5:49 PM, JULY 13, 2019, BY ERIK RUNGE, UPDATED AT 05:55PM, JULY 13, 2019

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CHICAGO — Thousands of people protested and marched against the possible immigration raids that are expected to happen Sunday.
A rally and march to "end criminalization, detention, & deportations" was held at the Richard J. Daley Center at 11 a.m.
People then marched the streets of downtown Chicago to ICE headquarters, 101 W. Ida B. Wells Drive, with signs, demands and a message.
For many marching wasn't really a choice, but more of a moral obligation.
"I want to support all immigrants that are here," Andriana Fernandez, demonstrator, said. "My parents are immigrants, my friends are immigrants and Chicago is a community that welcomes immigrants."
President Donald Trump agrees there is a crisis at the border, but not for the same reasons. He and his administration have taken a hard line on illegal immigration by detaining thousands, including children in detention centers that have come under fire for being overcrowded and not having enough supplies to humanly care for the migrates.
Elected officials helped lead the rally before the march, such as Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton and U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia. Garcia lead the call for the defunding of Immigration and Custom Enforcement or ICE.
"If they come on our turf, Chicagoland and Illinois, let's defend and protect all of our people," Garcia said.
Word of ICE raids starting Sunday in major cities, including Chicago, began leaking earlier this week. Since then, immigration organization have tried to educate immigrates on their rights.
12-year-old Mahalea Velasco, who's father was deported, wants to educate people on what she calls "harsh immigration policies" and what they do to families.
"Will you stand with me? Won't you resist? Stop deportation, stop separation of families," Velasco said.
Her speech seemed to resonate with the audience. Most people said it was her story that will keep them coming out to rallies and marches.

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FILED IN: NEWS

https://wgntv.com/2019/07/13/thousan...ds-in-chicago/

Chance of ICE Raids 'Causing Great Harm and Trauma,' Mayor Lightfoot Says

Published Jul 13, 2019 at 5:44 PM | Updated at 10:32 PM CDT on Jul 13, 2019

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The city is bracing for potential ICE raids this weekend, and NBC 5's Lexi Sutter has the details.

As ICE deportation raids are set to begin in numerous cities across America on Sunday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is delivering a message to President Donald Trump, asking him to reconsider his administration’s immigration enforcement action.
The mayor, who has been an outspoken critic of the administration’s immigration policies, appealed to President Trump’s “conscience” as raids are reportedly set to begin Sunday.
“I hope that the president’s conscience, somewhere, is pricked, and he realizes that dangling this sword over people’s heads is causing great harm and trauma to entire households and entire communities,” Lightfoot said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot Sends Message to President Trump

(Published Saturday, July 13, 2019)
The mayor, speaking to a group Saturday, appeared with several Chicago aldermen after a day spent advising immigrant families of their rights with the prospect of ICE raids looming.
“There’s a tremendous amount of fear in our city,” she said. “Our neighbors are worried if the knock on the door is going to mean ICE is coming for them. We’re trying to lower their fear by giving them information, and the information is empowering them.”
The Lightfoot administration has already instructed Chicago police not to cooperate with ICE officials in enforcement actions, and to prevent the agency from using city databases in their efforts to detain undocumented immigrants.
On Friday, Lightfoot set forth an executive action putting an additional $250,000 into the city’s legal defense fund, and made several other steps to try to help those at risk of deportation.
Rallies, Protests Held Ahead of Potential ICE Raids[IMG]https://media.nbcchicago.com/images/620*349/web+-+ice+raid+protests+7-13.png[/IMG]
Thousands of people hit the streets in Chicago for a rally and march against President Trump's immigration policies. NBC 5's Ash-har Quraishi has the details.
(Published Saturday, July 13, 2019)
On Saturday, Lightfoot and her team went door-to-door to provide comfort and information to families, and she gave praise to other residents who have done the same.
“This is a city that for 150 years has been a city of welcome for immigrants from all around the world,” she said. “This is a community that has diversity of people coming from all over the world, and we have to stand united and figuratively and literally link arms with our neighbors.
“I am heartened by the number of people that are out there walking door to door, really bringing the words and comfort to those who need it,” she added.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/war...512687741.html