On Saturday, around 150 students from the University of Illinois and members of the Champaign – Urbana community joined forces. They held a rally to show their support for the local migrant community. This came as there were changes in policies at the federal level.
The group started at West Side Park. They marched to downtown Champaign and then back. The protesters played music and used loudspeakers. They chanted together, and at times, they blocked traffic. The event, named “RESISTENCIA!” (which means “resistance” in Spanish), was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the Prairie Liberation Center, and Students for Socialism at UIUC.
Derek Briles, an organizer from Champaign – Urbana’s Party of Socialism and Liberation, said the rally was a chance to oppose the Trump administration’s attempts to target and deport people without legal status.
Briles said, “This country was built by immigrants. Immigrants and migrant labor keep this country going. They have the right to be here, to be safe, and to be welcomed. That’s why we’re here.”
The crowd chanted to criticize recent U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement raids in cities like Chicago. They also wanted to let immigrants know about their rights. One chant went, “Up – up with liberation, down – down deportation.”
A red pickup truck led the way. The protestors stopped traffic near Champaign City Hall and the Christie Clinic on University Avenue. They then walked past businesses on North Walnut Street.
After about half an hour of marching, the community members went back to West Side Park. There, they listened as event leaders shared their experiences with migrant community members.
Jason Farias, a member of PSL, said, “We’re not going to just feel bad. We’re going to take action and organize.”
The demonstration wrapped up with music and discussions within the community.
Briles said it’s very important to bring the community together to fight for social change.
Briles added, “We can’t just stay at home and complain online about how bad things are. We need to take real – world action to make our voices heard. We can’t let things go on as they are.”
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