For many months now, as I’ve walked through Chicago, I’ve noticed posters taped to restaurant doors, stating their right to refuse entry to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I have also seen people storming through downtown during protests, waving handmade cardboard signs reading “ICE Out” and “Immigrants are welcome here.” These protests have been relatively frequent in Chicago since 2025, ranging from smaller, regular events to rallies large enough to disrupt traffic and close streets for hours on end.
These are all signs of an unwritten but evident movement that has become increasingly apparent across the city: a movement centered on resistance against ICE and decisions of the Trump administration. Chicago’s larger protests, including No Kings events, have consistently drawn attention across news outlets and brought visibility to immigration enforcement’s actions. To anyone who calls Chicago home, however, these protests also serve as a reminder of how interwoven political issues are with daily life. Therefore, Chicago’s public response should continue, ensuring that immigration, labor rights and other issues affecting our community remain openly discussed and challenged.
In recent months, Illinois elected officials have consistently engaged with a variety of social issues. Public figures such as Gov. JB Pritzker have addressed the demonstrations and emphasized concerns about ICE, and Chicagoans have been just as vocal about their views on the current administration’s decisions. In early May, several protests have already been planned, including a student walkout against ICE on May 1 and the May Day protest advocating for labor and immigrant rights on May 2.
The recurrence of these events is necessary. In a time where political developments progress rapidly and attention is constantly shifting, demonstrations such as the one planned for May 2 help maintain widespread focus on critical issues. Some topics fade from media discussion over time, but it is essential not to dismiss their impact. Protesting, whether through the form of organized marches with millions of people or even taped-up posters, allows us to keep these topics at the forefront of attention.
Chicago’s commitment to speaking up reflects a willingness to be vocal and respond publicly to political events — a commitment that should be preserved in the coming months and years. We should always strive to be involved in social issues, particularly considering their widespread impact. Participating actively in protests and speaking out has become an essential experience for many Chicagoans, and are a tangible way to ensure our concerns are acknowledged.
