Chicago volunteers assemble ICE watch kits to protect neighbors

CHICAGO (WGN) — Chicago residents are coming together to protect each other as the Trump administration carries out Operation Midway Blitz.

Volunteers at Indivisible Chicago’s Day of Action packed thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) watch kits to distribute across the city.

“Rather than sit around and complain, I try to get up and get involved. I feel like I’m playing a small role in changing what’s going on in the streets of Chicago,” said volunteer Andy Ulrich.

Indivisible Chicago hosted ‘pack and protect’ events across the city, where volunteers assembled kits containing a ‘know your rights’ card and a whistle.

The plastic whistles have become a tool of resistance against Operation Midway Blitz, helping alert undocumented immigrants to the presence of ICE and Border Patrol while encouraging community members to record activity on their phones.

“It’s loud, it gets the word out, it lets people know that there’s something happening in their community,” said Jessica Jorsch of Indivisible Chicago. “It’s very personal what’s happened for everyone in Chicago, so a lot of groups are looking for ways they can fight back.”

By the end of the day, volunteers had assembled and distributed 4,000 whistle kits to residents and local businesses.

“Little things go a long way. You can’t eat the pizza in one bite, you gotta eat it in small bites, and once you’re done, you’ve eaten the whole thing. Change happens in small increments,” Ulrich said.