A flurry of grassroots activism in Little Village began Saturday when the clock struck noon on the majestic arch above West 26th Street that for decades has served as a gateway to the largest and most recognized Mexican immigrant community in Chicago.
In the shadow of the arch, community leaders spoke out against President Trump and the fear they said he and others have been sowing in their community in recent weeks. Later in the day, hundreds gathered for a rally in nearby La Villita Park.
Activists canvassed businesses along West 26th Street, putting up signs they hoped would make the community feel unafraid. One sign being passed around listed a phone number community members could call if they suspected activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“We are not just simply cheap labor to be utilized and thrown aside,” said Elvia Rodriguez Ochoa, executive director of Chicago Community Arts Studio. “Instead of sending us this hate, they should be thanking us — thanking us for bringing our culture, for bringing the art that’s on these walls, for bringing our music, for bringing dance, for bringing our food.”
The economic power and rich culture of Little Village came up again and again.
Immigrant communities across the Chicago area have been enduring weeks of fear and uncertainty because of Trump’s immigration crackdown. Last Monday, from Elgin to Chicago Heights, businesses closed and workers stayed home to send a message about the contributions immigrants make to their communities and local economies.
Last month, television show host Phil McGraw, known as Dr. Phil, joined Trump “border czar” Tom Homan during an immigration enforcement blitz in Chicago. Though the outpouring of activism Saturday was billed by some as a “day of love and resistance,” the gloomy February day was punctuated by some somber moments.
“It’s extremely disheartening to see what has been happening to families, the displacement, the many people that have come into my businesses crying and scared,” said Mike Moreno, the owner of two Little Village businesses, Moreno’s Liquors and Osito’s Tap. “I refuse to allow something like this to stop us as a people.”
The businesses in Little Village will continue to fight for the rights of the people in the community and around the country, said Moreno, a self-described proud Mexican American.
Since before Trump was inaugurated Jan. 20, immigrant advocacy groups in Chicago have been trying to educate community members on their rights, for example that constitutional protections against self-incrimination apply to all people on U.S. soil, including undocumented immigrants.
“I’m here to state that all of us businesses in this neighborhood are standing with you,” Moreno said.
State Sen. Celina Villanueva, a Democrat whose district represents neighborhoods including Little Village, Pilsen and Chinatown, reflected on what it was like to grow up in the vibrant community.
Villanueva talked about the half-century-old parade in Little Village for Mexican Independence Day and the neighborhood during the summertime when it hosts all sorts of events to celebrate its culture.
“I’m standing here today as a very proud Little Village resident, as a daughter of Little Village who has grown up in these streets, who knows what it looks like on a Saturday morning when it takes almost an hour to get from one end of Little Village to the other end of Little Village because there’s so many people here, so much commerce happening, so many people that are going grocery shopping or coming and buying their quinceañera dresses.”
The community’s people are resilient and come together to support one another when the worst of times hit, Villanueva said. The “day of love and resistance” was evidence of that, she said.
“Knowing our rights is good. It’s a first step. And I think that the Trump administration is complaining that we’re too well educated, that we’re too well informed, and we need to continue to do that,” said Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez, 25th. “But also I’m inviting you all to support our small businesses, to use our economic power.”
Activists canvassed businesses along West 26th Street, putting up signs they hoped would make the community feel not afraid.
A flurry of grassroots activism in Little Village began Saturday when the clock struck noon on the majestic arch above West 26th Street that for decades has served as a gateway to the largest and most recognized Mexican immigrant community in Chicago.
In the shadow of the arch, community leaders spoke out against President Trump and the fear they said he and others have been sowing in their community in recent weeks. Later in the day, hundreds gathered for a rally in nearby La Villita Park.
Activists canvassed businesses along West 26th Street, putting up signs they hoped would make the community feel unafraid. One sign being passed around listed a phone number community members could call if they suspected activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“We are not just simply cheap labor to be utilized and thrown aside,” said Elvia Rodriguez Ochoa, executive director of Chicago Community Arts Studio. “Instead of sending us this hate, they should be thanking us — thanking us for bringing our culture, for bringing the art that’s on these walls, for bringing our music, for bringing dance, for bringing our food.”
The economic power and rich culture of Little Village came up again and again.
Immigrant communities across the Chicago area have been enduring weeks of fear and uncertainty because of Trump’s immigration crackdown. Last Monday, from Elgin to Chicago Heights, businesses closed and workers stayed home to send a message about the contributions immigrants make to their communities and local economies.
Last month, television show host Phil McGraw, known as Dr. Phil, joined Trump “border czar” Tom Homan during an immigration enforcement blitz in Chicago. Though the outpouring of activism Saturday was billed by some as a “day of love and resistance,” the gloomy February day was punctuated by some somber moments.
“It’s extremely disheartening to see what has been happening to families, the displacement, the many people that have come into my businesses crying and scared,” said Mike Moreno, the owner of two Little Village businesses, Moreno’s Liquors and Osito’s Tap. “I refuse to allow something like this to stop us as a people.”
The businesses in Little Village will continue to fight for the rights of the people in the community and around the country, said Moreno, a self-described proud Mexican American.
Since before Trump was inaugurated Jan. 20, immigrant advocacy groups in Chicago have been trying to educate community members on their rights, for example that constitutional protections against self-incrimination apply to all people on U.S. soil, including undocumented immigrants.
“I’m here to state that all of us businesses in this neighborhood are standing with you,” Moreno said.
State Sen. Celina Villanueva, a Democrat whose district represents neighborhoods including Little Village, Pilsen and Chinatown, reflected on what it was like to grow up in the vibrant community.
Villanueva talked about the half-century-old parade in Little Village for Mexican Independence Day and the neighborhood during the summertime when it hosts all sorts of events to celebrate its culture.
“I’m standing here today as a very proud Little Village resident, as a daughter of Little Village who has grown up in these streets, who knows what it looks like on a Saturday morning when it takes almost an hour to get from one end of Little Village to the other end of Little Village because there’s so many people here, so much commerce happening, so many people that are going grocery shopping or coming and buying their quinceañera dresses.”
The community’s people are resilient and come together to support one another when the worst of times hit, Villanueva said. The “day of love and resistance” was evidence of that, she said.
“Knowing our rights is good. It’s a first step. And I think that the Trump administration is complaining that we’re too well educated, that we’re too well informed, and we need to continue to do that,” said Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez, 25th. “But also I’m inviting you all to support our small businesses, to use our economic power.”
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