LWV Illinois and ICIRR lead a Chicago march opposing ICE buildup. Protesters urged to plan ahead and prioritize safety.
CHICAGO - A broad coalition of community organizations, led by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and the League of Women Voters Illinois, will stage a protest in downtown Chicago this weekend in opposition to the federal government’s deployment of immigration enforcement agents and military resources to the city. The peaceful demonstration is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive. Organizers say the event will send a clear message against what they describe as “federal abuse of power” under the Trump administration. The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that an intensive deployment of ICE agents will be stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago. Civil rights groups say the move is designed to create fear and normalize racial and ethnic profiling in immigrant communities.
Safety and preparation
The League of Women Voters Illinois has urged participants to make safety a priority, stressing that anyone planning to attend should travel in groups, use public transportation when possible, and prepare for long waits. Suggested items include water, snacks, a backup cell phone battery, and a small first-aid kit. The League also recommends writing the name and phone number of an emergency contact on one’s arm in permanent ink in case a phone becomes unavailable, as well as disabling biometric phone locks in favor of a passcode. Protesters are advised to create and share a plan that includes exit routes and safe meet-up points. “Peaceful protest is a constitutional right,” the organization said in its advisory. “But ensuring your safety and the safety of others must come first.”Legal concerns
Legal observers have raised concerns after Cook County’s newly elected state’s attorney revoked formal “peaceful protest” protections earlier this year. While the office has clarified that it does not intend to restrict First Amendment rights, groups are warning participants to avoid confrontations with law enforcement. The League’s statement emphasized that protesters should refrain from language or behavior that could be interpreted as intentionally provocative or threatening toward officials.Building a rapid response
ICIRR and its partners are organizing a phone tree to quickly mobilize future demonstrations should federal agents appear in Chicago neighborhoods. The coalition has urged community members to stay connected through League In Action alerts and to prepare rapid response teams that can move within 24 hours of deployment. The League of Women Voters Illinois said members of its Chicago chapter will be present at Saturday’s event and can be identified by purple, star-shaped balloons. The groups behind the march say the purpose is not only to resist the expansion of federal enforcement but also to affirm immigrant rights and civil liberties at a time of growing federal intervention in local jurisdictions.More stories you might like ~
