Community peace walk in Waukegan shows support to families affected by ICE activity

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WGN) — As federal agents ramp up immigration arrests in Lake County, a Community Peace Walk is underway in Waukegan to show support for families impacted by recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity.

The event, held by the Coalition of Concerned Citizens of Waukegan, started at 4:30 p.m., beginning at Belvidere Park on South Lewis Avenue and will end in downtown Waukegan.

Organizers say the peaceful protest is meant to unite residents and call awareness to the human impact of the Trump administration’s policies and ICE enforcement activities.

“The people here, they’re living in fear. They can’t take their kids to school, or you know, it’s a nice day today, go to the park. They’re just scared to come out of their homes,” organizer Tonia Small said. “This is the reason why we wanted to get the community involved to let them know hey, we’re here to support you, we have their back, and to get other people involved to help this community.”

They called on attendees to wear white and carry U.S. flags, along with flags representing other nations to highlight the diversity and resilience of Waukegan’s immigrant community.

“Our strength is in our unity,” said a spokesperson for the coalition. “We are coming together to show solidarity, to raise awareness about the human impact of these policies, and to demonstrate that peace and compassion are stronger than fear.”

For safety reasons, organizers are asking that only U.S. citizens attend the event and that small children not be brought.

“This walk is about hope, dignity, and collective strength,” the coalition said. “We believe that by standing together, we can create meaningful change through peaceful action.”

Just last week in Waukegan, Mayor Sam Cunningham confronted Border Patrol agents after a 23-year-old woman, a U.S. citizen, was detained right outside of City Hall.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed she allegedly tried to box in federal agents, but the woman denied the accusations.

That arrest was met with backlash from the community and Congressman Brad Schneider, who criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

According to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), there were also arrests earlier this month in Waukegan at the Motel 6 and Home Depot.

As ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ got underway, it was said Great Lakes Naval Station in North Chicago would serve as a hub for federal immigration agents. So far, the operation has resulted in more than 1,000 arrests, according to ICE.