Brighton Park community marches to give voice to those fearful of ICE

About 250 people marched through Brighton Park on the southwest side Saturday morning chanting, in English and Spanish, “ICE out” and “No hate, No fear Immigrants are welcome here.”

Last month, immigration agents shot a woman who they alleged chased their vehicle on Kedzie Avenue near 39th Street. Body camera footage shows an agent saying “Do something, b——” before pulling over and shooting Marimar Martinez five times, her attorney said.

Waitresses and mechanics came out of their places of work to cheer the marchers on. A family brought Mexican and American flags onto their porch. And a woman pulling her laundry in a rolling basket raised her fist in solidarity.

But many could be seen watching from behind slightly parted curtains, perhaps too scared to venture outside.

“I want them to feel supported and know that just because they can’t be out here, we are out here for them, representing,” said 21-year-old Rachel Hernandez. “They are not alone. I know it is scary, but there are people who are helping and supporting them and will be their voice when they can’t.”

Hernandez, like many of the marchers, wore her Halloween costume, which was of a mouse. On Halloween, few children went outside to trick-or-treat and she wanted to send a message, that children shouldn’t have to be afraid to do “simple kid activities,” she said.

The march was planned by the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, which works in schools and provides support for families in the community. Brighton Park, like other predominantly Latino neighborhoods, has been targeted by federal immigration enforcement. Not far from Kelly Park, where Saturday’s march kicked off, ICE agents shot tear gas and clashed for hours with protesters after the shooting of Marimar Martinez.

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council’s Karina Martinez said residents have been scared to go out of their homes, to go to work or to the grocery store.

“This is one way that we’re taking back our community in a way that is really reclaiming this neighborhood as our own,” Martinez said.

Sarah Karp covers education for WBEZ. Follow her on X @WBEZeducation and @sskedreporter.