"Our guests today are among the many Chicagoans who have shown up with courage and care over the last few months, and I am proud to have struggled alongside them. As raids expand to other cities and the Department of Homeland Security signals that Chicago may be hit even harder in the spring, these lessons feel urgent - both for our own preparation and for anyone, anywhere, who may find themselves facing what we just lived through."
"I'm your host, writer and organizer Kelly Hayes. Today we'll be talking with three Chicago organizers about what we've learned from two months of intense immigration raids, community defense, protest, and state repression. We'll be hearing from Rey Wences, the Senior Director of Deportation Defense at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights; Gabe Gonzalez, a neighborhood rapid response organizer, and Jocelyn Walsh, a frontline musician who's now facing federal charges."
"The best way to respond to fear and intimidation tactics is to just show we're not afraid. We're going to keep showing up. We're going to keep speaking out,"
Three Chicago organizers—Rey Wences (Senior Director of Deportation Defense at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights), Gabe Gonzalez (neighborhood rapid response organizer), and Jocelyn Walsh (frontline musician now facing federal charges)—outline lessons learned from two months of intense immigration raids, community defense, protest, and state repression. Raids have expanded and authorities signal potential escalation in the spring. Community responses have included rapid response, coordinated defense, and sustained protest. Organizers emphasize visibility, continued presence, and speaking out as tactics to counter fear and intimidation. The situation underscores urgent needs for preparation, solidarity, and mutual aid across cities.
Read at Truthout
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