More than 200 protesters gathered Wednesday outside the Department of Homeland Security office in downtown Chicago, the latest in a string of demonstrations that have erupted since President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning refugees and travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.
A coalition of religious, advocacy and legal groups held the rally to show their unity in calling for a reversal of the executive order, which they say amounts to a ban on Muslims.
The crowd cheered as Hatem Abudayyeh, executive director of the Arab American Action Network, recalled two consecutive nights of protests last weekend at O’Hare International Airport that drew hundreds, shutting down the road to international Terminal 5 on Saturday.
Addressing the crowd Wednesday, Abudayyeh warned that immigrants and green card holders from the seven affected countries should not travel outside the U.S., and all immigrants and permanent residents should contact an attorney before leaving the country.
"We know our presence at O’Hare helped pressure customs to release many of those detainees on that first night," Abudayyeh said. "And that’s why we will continue being out in the streets here like they are all across the country."
In between speeches from civil rights activists and other organizers, the crowd chanted "DHS let’s be clear, immigrants are welcome here!" while displaying welcoming signs supporting refugees and international visitors. From the DHS office, protesters marched to Federal Center Plaza.
Among other speakers was Jane Ramsey, a board member with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. She expressed solidarity with unauthorized immigrants living in Chicago.
More than 200 protesters gathered Feb. 1, 2017 outside the Department of Homeland Security in Chicago, the latest in a string of demonstrations that have erupted since President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning refugees and travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.
"We will not stand for the over-policing of our communities," she said into a megaphone. "We will not stand for the politics of fear, hate, division, scapegoating of immigrants and other minorities."
Amanda Wingard-Phillips, 35, said she learned about the protest on Facebook and came out because some of her relatives travel abroad, and she’s afraid they may not be allowed entry back into the country if they visit one of the seven countries noted by Trump.
"I’ve been trying to support various causes," said Wingard-Phillips, a consultant who lives in Wicker Park. "I marched in the Women’s March and have been protesting over at (Sens. Tammy) Duckworth and (Dick) Durbin’s office on the (Cabinet) appointments. … As a rich white lady, I should be using my privilege to stand up and say what’s wrong."
echerney@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @ElyssaCherney
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