As the federal attacks on immigrant communities in Chicago intensify ahead of the Mexican Independence Day celebrations, people have taken to social media to call on others to bring out their flags and drive to Trump Tower in protest.
Last weekend, an Instagram page of car enthusiasts posted a photo of a “rammer” — vintage square-body trucks, typically Chevys, that are unique to Chicago urban culture — in front of a mural in Little Village, with the caption, “Them Chicago rammers about to shine again.”
Standing on top of the vehicle was Ricky, a driver who told the Sun-Times that “there will be a few caravans, starting Thursday or Friday, especially with everything going on,” referring to the arrests by ICE and immigration authorities in recent days.
“We are not afraid and we are here to speak up and defend those that can’t because of their legal status,” said Ricky, who did not share his last name. “We will represent and defend ours.” He referenced some car clubs that would be participating in an organized way: Rack Em Ent, Santisima Trucking, 660, Los Rusos and La Clika 312.
The 54th annual Mexican Independence Day parade is scheduled for this Sunday, starting at the Little Village welcoming arch, but celebrations begin as early as Friday.
For decades, it has been traditional and expected for cars to cruise after a cultural parade has concluded. But in 2020, when the Little Village Chamber of Commerce canceled its annual parade due to COVID, people celebrated their heritage in a safe and socially distanced way by driving through their neighborhoods waving their flags.
At the time, graduation caravans and census- and get-out-the-vote-themed caravans had become commonplace.
In subsequent years, however, after the parade had returned to its regular schedule, Chicago police officers with the 10th District began the practice of blocking major intersections on Kedzie Avenue and Pulaski Road as a safety precaution. That’s when heavy car traffic was pushed east and west into downtown and unsuspecting neighborhoods and suburbs.
The bumper-to-bumper traffic becomes an inconvenience, as downtown alderpersons have complained, and it could trap ambulances, fire trucks and police, as well as first responders and hospital workers trying to get through.
In a press release, the Office of Emergency Management & Communications and the Chicago Police Department said, “Beginning on Friday night please watch for huge car caravans that will affect the entire City Of Chicago. Expect rolling/hard street closures throughout the entire weekend.”
“Public transportation is highly recommended should these car caravans materialize,” the release continued. “Share your routes and/or location with loved ones and preplan. Watch social media for developing situations and be aware of your surroundings. Lake Shore Drive and local area expressways may be shutdown as well, as this is a favorite route of car caravans.”
In 2023, OEMC partnered with the Mexican Consulate of Chicago to give a public service announcement encouraging peaceful displays of cultural pride. And for the first time last year, the city put on an “El Grito Chicago” event at Grant Park that could dissuade random large gatherings. But this year, El Grito Chicago was canceled, citing the threat of immigration enforcement actions.
