Introduction to the Protest
Hundreds of Chicago teens huddled in the cold February air in Lincoln Square on Monday to speak out against President Donald Trump’s deportation campaign and to advocate for immigrant communities.
The Walkout
Students from several high schools, including Mather, Northside College Prep, Roosevelt, Amundsen and Von Steuben, walked out of school at around noon carrying flags from Mexico, the U.S. and other countries, calling for federal immigration officers to leave Chicago and other cities.
Students from Mather High School walked out of school at around noon on Monday, joining students from several other CPS high schools in protesting federal immigration enforcement actions.
Chanting and Demands
Mather students chanted “fuera ICE” — “ICE out” in Spanish — as they walked through snowy neighborhood streets toward River Park, ushered by approving car honks and cheers from neighbors, some of whom waved flags out of the windows of their homes as students marched by.
The students joined a growing chorus of voices demanding the abolition of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, a cry that typically also includes other aspects of immigration enforcement that falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Others spoke about the contributions immigrants have made to Chicago and the country.
Nationwide Protests
Similar protests took place in other states Monday, including in Indiana and Texas.
Personal Stories and Fears
Angelique Guzman, a student at Mather, accused federal agents of violating the U.S. Constitution, saying they are targeting people based on the color of their skin. Last September, the Supreme Court cleared the way for immigration agents to use race and language as a factor in stopping and questioning people.
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