Join 19th Ward Mutual Aid To Pack Whistle Kits To Protect Neighbors From ICE

CHICAGO — Whistles have become the first line of defense in warning neighbors ICE agents are nearby. The 19th Ward Mutual Aid will be holding a “WhistleMania” event from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, in the Evergreen Park area.

Volunteers will be assembling whistle kits, that include a whistle, a “Know Your Rights” printout, instructions on how to use the kits, and know-your-rights palm cards to hand over in case of being stopped by federal agents. The instructions that come with the kits stress non-violence.

Whistle kits emerged in California earlier this year during heightened ICE activities in that state. The idea made its way to Chicago, and the kits have been effectively used to alert residents of ICE activity since Operation Midway Blitz was launched last month. The object is to reduce the number of people detained without due process through a rapid alert system, activists said.

Kat Abughazaleh, a candidate for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, told the Daily Northwestern that the whistles have been shown to deter ICE. Abughazaleh has been thrown to ground, shot with pepper balls and detained protesting outside the ICE detention facility in Broadview. She said she was proud of Chicago for standing up to ICE.

“People are scared, but they’re defiant,” said Abughazaleh, who is running against three other people in the upcoming Democratic primary to fill the seat of retiring Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.

If interested in helping to package whistle kits, RSVP via 19th Ward Mutual Aid. The location will be provided after reserving a spot.