Hundreds of people gathered outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview on a frigid Saturday morning to protest federal operations that have resulted in the detention of thousands of immigrants across the country and the deaths of dozens in custody.
“Inside those walls are people who wake up every morning not knowing whether they will ever see their children again, people who have committed no crime, people who ran from hunger, war and abuse,” Carlos Álvarez-Aranyos, founder of American Opposition said at the rally.
More than 200 people braved freezing temperatures at a rally at 1930 Beach St. to call for an end to immigration enforcement actions that have sparked protests nationwide, including over the killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 and the fatal shooting of Silverio Villegas González by federal agents in Franklin Park months earlier.
Álvarez-Aranyos criticized the Trump administration, saying its actions were spreading fear through communities instead of making them safer.
“Shame on leaders who trade cruelty for applause, shame on the lie that this makes us safer, shame on the lie that this makes us stronger,” he said.
Protesters bundled up and held upside down American flags and signs — some reading “ ICE melts in the hands of the people" and "ICE out."
Eva Stancey, 54, of Naperville said her son lives just eight blocks away from where Good was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The fatal shooting was captured on video, sparking outrage across the country. Federal officials claim the federal officer, Jonathan Ross, acted in self-defense.
Though she’s no stranger to protests, Stancey said she showed up Saturday in support of the Minneapolis community and for all the people in the Chicago area who have been targeted by federal officers in recent months.
My son "has been doing what he can,” Stancey said. “He’s giving rides to people who could be targeted. But despite what’s happening, he said the community there is sticking together and it’s beautiful to see.”
Stancey and her friend Lisa Sparagna of Woodridge said they were “heartbroken” to learn of Good’s death, adding that federal officers have only spread fear in communities. But they said fear wouldn’t hold them back from continuing to voice their concerns.
“Even though it wears you down and you feel helpless, that’s why we come out and show up,” said Sparagna, 69. “We're here to keep going and keep supporting those that need our help and our voices.”
Melissa Espinoza of Hinsdale said communities needed to continue to stick together and “fight the good fight.”
“We’re living in very scary times. This is not normal,” said Espinoza, 45.
Espinoza said she was disheartened by how the administration has treated not only immigrant communities but also those who speak out in their support. She said supporters of the administration “don’t want to face the reality” that federal officials are not protecting communities, instead they are “terrorizing” them.
“But this is going to end one day, and I'm hopeful that people are going to be held accountable for what they’ve done,” she said.
