Thousands Attend Chicago's Families Belong Together Protest

CHICAGO, IL — Thousands of people braved the intense heat at Daley Plaza Saturday to protest the Trump administration's current practice of separating children from parents who cross illegally into the United States. The local event was part of Families Belong Together, a series of nationwide protests condemning the border separation policy.

The Chicago rally, which was sponsored by a coalition of groups including Indivisible Chicago and the American Civil Liberties Union, was held at 11 a.m. June 30 at the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St.

Hundreds of representatives from non-profit organizations, religious groups, charities, schools, political organizations and community groups attended the march.

At noon, protesters began marching down Clark Street to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices at 101 W. Congress Pkwy.

"Traffic closures & significant delays expected as Immigration March prepares to step off near Daley Plaza," tweeted Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. "@Chicago_Police officers are on hand to ensure a safe demonstration."

Margo Chavc-Easley attended the march holding a sign that read, "What lengths would you go for YOUR children?" She said her mother was an immigrant from Guatemala who wanted a better life for her.

"She would not have been able to raise me or feed me in Guatemala," Chavc-Easley said. "Here she was able to give me the opportunity to go to school — I worked and paid for my own college as an undocumented immigrant, and I was fortunate enough to get residency and citizenship."

Chavc-Easley went on to earn a master's degree and is now employed as a social worker.

Lana Millan attended the march with her young son Gyllermo.

"We are a family of immigrants," Millan said. "Just to see these kids locked up and separated — it's unbelievable, and we need to be out here supporting them and showing each other kindness, love and that this isn't right."

Participants signed up for the protest on the national event's website.

"Donald Trump and his administration are cruelly separating children from their families," the national website for Families Belong Together states. "But we won't allow it to continue."

RELATED: Family Separations At The Border: How You Can Help

With temperatures hitting the mid-90s during the march, a medical tent was on site and a cooling center was open at the First United Methodist Church, 77 W. Washington St.

Chicago wasn't the only Illinois city hosting a protest June 30. Frankfort, Barrington, Downers Grove and Rockford held similar rallies that day.

More than 600 marches were held across the country.

Photos by Amber Fisher/Patch