Jan. 30 rally in Chicago. SB for News & Letters
Chicago—On Jan. 30, the Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago was almost filled with protesters, standing against ICE and fascism and in solidarity with immigrants, people of color and activists in Minnesota who have been brutalized and executed on the streets by Trump’s paramilitary thugs.
What was striking is that this rally had many, many more young people and people of color than has been typical of recent anti-Trump marches and rallies. The crowd was angry and really high energy, coming out during a winter storm-watch in bitterly cold weather.
Jan. 30 rally in Chicago. SB for News & Letters
What has set apart these demonstrations—countrywide—from so many others, is the plethora of handmade signs. That simple fact shows that thousands upon thousands of individuals have been motivated to participate on their own in what has become a social movement to stop fascism in the U.S. Striking too was how the signs reveal both righteous anger and humor at the same time.
HOMEMADE SIGNS TELL THE STORY
Here are some examples:
- “They blame immigrants so you won’t blame billionaires”
- a sign decorated with pictures of butterflies read “Migration is natural. Abolish ICE”
- “Can’t spell Incel without ICE”
- “Can’t spell hatred w/o redhat”
- the obvious but necessary “WE ALL SAW IT”
- “Loving your neighbor now punishable by death. Abolish ICE”
- “Stop pretending your racism is patriotism”
- “Believe the truth you’re witnessing or die by the lies they’re telling”
- my favorite is of a cat pushing a glass of ice cubes off a table with the words: “Chinga la Migra”
One thing is clear from seeing these demonstrations countrywide: people will not experience the rise of fascism without a monumental struggle against it.
—Feminist participant
Jan. 30 rally in Chicago. SB for News & Letters
Jan. 30 rally in Chicago. SB for News & Letters
Jan. 30 rally in Chicago. SB for News & Letters
Jan. 30 rally in Chicago. SB for News & Letters
Jan. 30 rally in Chicago. SB for News & Letters
People in small towns here in SW Michigan are declaring against the ICE mercenaries- towns like Paw Paw, Hastings, Marshall, Coldwater, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek. Traitor Trump has opened up a new front against the American people. We are fighting back and will not stop until we have justice.