Being an activist means showing up in different, unique ways for the individual who has decided that ‘enough is enough’. Many ordinary citizens who have never participated in a protest or voiced their political opinions online have suddenly changed their minds and done so for the first time. Why? They cannot idle and stand by, and they watch injustice and violence creep through their cities and neighborhoods. It all started once Trump declared war against immigrants and refugees, the very people who built this country.
Below is an interview with Chicagoan Ivette Perez-Diaz.
Luz: What prompted you to become involved with your community and stand up against ICE raids?
Ivette Lopez Diaz: I remember hearing back in January 2025 about the ICE raids scheduled to start on the 21st. I felt angry, powerless, and helpless, hearing and seeing the videos of people being kidnapped off the street by masked men. I kept thinking, as a Mexican-American born in Chicago, there has to be more I can do. At that time, all I could do was offer my time to help those at risk, with errands that needed to be done, to keep them safe.
In September, when they announced the operation Midway Blitz, it became clear that it was going to get worse. When they killed Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, I knew we had to do more to protect our communities. On October 4, when they shot Marimar Martinez in Brighton Park, I was heading to join the people, but ran into a separate group of ICE agents at 35th and California, which turned out to be where she drove herself with bullet wounds. I remember seeing all of those agents with guns as big as small children, looking at us, just smiling and laughing at us as we shouted at them that they are not welcome here and that they are unconstitutionally kidnapping people without due process. I knew then that I could never look away from this kind of situation.
I saw communities making whistle kits with the Know Your Rights red cards and ICIRR information, and decided this was a good way to start. I work far from home and am gone most of the day, so I decided to make kits on my own time. With the help of family members and neighbors, we were able to make a few thousand kits last year and distribute them in North Chicago and South Chicago, and even ship about 1,500 to North Carolina to a friend who also works with migrant communities.
I have also attended Zoom meetings of organizations that educate and train on conducting Migra Watch effectively, and have patrolled my neighborhood when possible. I have joined fellow activists canvassing neighborhoods, passing out information and flyers to ensure people are informed of their constitutional rights and know they are not alone.
Luz: What was your experience protesting at the Broadview, IL, detention center?
Ivette Lopez Diaz: I have been to Broadview a few times now to show support for those who have been out there protesting since early last year. I was there this Saturday, January 17th, along with other activists and community members who are tired of the lawlessness of these masked agents terrorizing our cities. We were raising our voices, united, demanding accountability from our representatives who have the power to stop this. We stay prepared and willing to stand up for our neighbors. In such dark times, it was great to see so many people united, working together to keep us safe. Activists from Washington, D.C., Boston, and other states were present. There were senior citizens, children, and everything in between braving the cold in solidarity, proving that the more they want to divide us, the more we are coming together.
Luz: What are your thoughts on what ICE is doing to terrorize the city of Minneapolis?
Ivette Lopez Diaz: There were activists at Broadview who came from Minneapolis and had faced the brutality of ICE. I think it is horrendous what ICE is doing in Minneapolis to the people protecting their communities. As this administration continues to target blue, sanctuary cities, it is becoming clear that we, the people, will not tolerate it, and we will continue to adapt and learn to continue protecting our communities. I know Chicago will continue to stand up for its own people, and I will be right there alongside them. It’s true, as they say, the people united will never be divided.
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