CHICAGO (WLS) — A large protest against immigration enforcement blocked traffic in downtown Chicago for hours on Tuesday evening.
“We must organize. We must stay in the streets and keep each other safe!” one protester said.
The Coalition Against the Trump Agenda and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights hosted a rally at Congress Plaza Garden on Tuesday evening before marching in the streets to make their voices heard.
“We are going to keep fighting against the escalated ICE raids and attacks against our communities. Trump says that it’s going to be war in Chicago, but I believe in the people’s power and the resistance here in strong,” said Rania Salem with the U.S. Palestinian Community Network.
About 200 demonstrators marched on Michigan Avenue around 6 p.m.
“We will be out on these streets. So, get ready. Buy you some new shoes!” one demonstrator said.
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The group later returned to the plaza, where the rally resumed. Organizers told ABC7 that they were committed to keeping the demonstration peaceful.
“We’re going to talk about how we’re meeting the moment, right now,” another demonstrator said.
The protest came after federal agents descended on Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood as part of operation “Midway Blitz” on Tuesday.
Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement along with Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agents arrested three men they say are suspected gang members. ABC7 blurred their faces because we do not know whether they have been charged.
ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas spoke with the head of the ICE operation, which the Department of Homeland Security says is targeting criminal offenders who are in the U.S. illegally.
Federal agents descended on Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood as part of operation “Midway Blitz.”
“We’re talking anywhere from the most egregious child sex offender to, homicide, burglary, assault, domestic violence, it runs the gamut. It’s everybody that’s committed crime, but the ones we’re going to primarily focus on, the ones that we want to get off the streets are going to be our heinous criminals,” Marco Charles, acting director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations told ABC News.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Maniff said they are investigating possible gun trafficking by the Tren de Aragua gang.
“This investigation started through our crime gun intelligence center with our 15 partner agencies that include ICE. And during this operation, we identified 30 TDA suspected gang members that were selling firearms in the Chicagoland area,” Maniff said.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says, “DHS is launching Operation Midway Blitz in honor of Katie Abraham who was killed in Illinois by a criminal illegal alien who should have never been in our country.” The operation, which began was announced Monday, is part of a 30-day federal immigration enforcement surge in the Chicago area.
Meanwhile, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker met with activists who support immigrants on Tuesday, talking about strategies for how best to address the immigration enforcement surge. Several community groups are also planning resistance strategies.
The federal government has officially started its immigration crackdown on the Chicago area.
Pritzker said there is a lot of fear out there about what the Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation will actually turn into. And as President Donald Trump continues to talk about cleaning up Democrat-run cities, Pritzker made it clear, once again, that he has no plans to ask for federal help like the National Guard.
Pritzker met with a group leaders representing numerous advocacy groups who are trying to inform people of their rights and help them stay safe as they wait for the ICE raids to ramp up.
“We’re going to talk about how we’re meeting the moment right now,” one woman who attended the meeting said. “What does that actually look like? What does the various programs look like?”
The governor offered some encouragement.
“The reason that Tom Homan, the reason that Donald Trump, the reason that so many people, you know, are upset and want to attack Chicago is because we’re winning,” Pritzker said. “Even though this is a terrible moment, we are winning here, We are, even if there are still people who are being taken and still there are attacks in our communities.”
It comes as various community groups continue to criticize operation “Midway Blitz,” the name given to the stepped-up immigration enforcement effort that the Trump administration has said will target the “worst of the worst” criminals who are not in the country legally.
After touring the National Museum of Mexican Art, the governor admitted that the state is being kept in the dark about ICE activity. Pritzker said he is not sure when the ICE operation will ramp up, but he says they have about 100 vehicles at the ready.
“Here’s what we do know: ICE is somewhere on the ground here. They already have been effectuating their plans. We have not seen the bulk of those ICE agents yet in communities, but we have seen some, and we know that they are gathering steam,” Pritzker said.
The White House border czar, Tom Homan, defended the operation that is expected to look similar to what happened in Los Angeles.
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“We’re sending a message to the whole world; there are consequences for violating our laws. You’re asking me to tell ICE, ‘Don’t enforce the law.’ Should DEA enforce their laws? Should FBI enforce their laws? Should ATF enforce their laws? ICE is going to enforce the laws. That’s what President Trump got elected for and what we’re doing,” Homan said.
Faith leaders on the West Side are calling this “Resistance Tuesday.” They gathered in Pilsen, where community members are getting ready to celebrate Mexican Independence Day this weekend
“When it comes to putting our sons and daughters in the back of unmarked vans by agents that do not want to be known, accountable by anybody, we have to say ‘No,’” said Rev. Joe Morrow with 4th Presbyterian Church.
Organized by the Leaders’ Network, the collection of prominent clergy came together on Tuesday, united by their opposition to any federal takeover of Chicago.
“It’s so important that this is an interfaith gathering that Christians, Jews and Muslims are coming together to say that we’re going to fight for Chicago,” said Leaders’ Network President David Cherry.
Their message is that Chicago needs investment, not occupation.
“So, while he is championing that there’s a need for the military to solve this problem, we believe in resources,” said New Landmark Baptist Church Pastor Cy Fields.
SEE ALSO | Katie Abraham’s father speaks out on DHS’ operation ‘Midway Blitz’ in Chicago area
Many say Trump is using crime in predominately Black and Brown communities as an excuse to occupy the city.
“We resist what he is doing,” said Greater Union Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Walter McCray. “We stand flat footed, morally and spiritually and resist what he is doing. We are not afraid. We can control our community if we have the resources, the resources to hire folk.”
Administration officials say their actions are necessary to apprehend undocumented people, who they say are being given refuge in sanctuary cities, adding that they have seen a reduction in crime in Washington, D.C. after the National Guard was called in to help.
If National Guard troops were deployed in Chicago, military experts say, they would likely be used to guard federal buildings.
The troops are trained for military combat, not policing crime and cannot be dispatched by 9-1-1 to crime scenes.
“It’s looking for an excuse to have further crackdowns on valid protests and to provoke attack, and that’s my deepest concern, that these troops are coming here to provoke, not to protect,” said Oak Park Temple Rabbi Max Weiss.
ABC News contributed to this report.
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