Car plows through Chicago protest as thousands rally in solidarity with L.A. anti-ICE demonstrations

A driver plowed into a group of protesters Tuesday in the Loop, striking at least one pedestrian, as thousands marched through downtown Chicago protesting the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration raids.

The driver was stuck between police vehicles on State Street. Officers wanted to guide her away from the crowd and asked her to turn right on Monroe Street, but she ignored their orders and turned left, speeding into the crowd.

One officer tried to get the driver to stop and pulled on the driver’s-side door handle, but the driver sped off.

Shortly after the car plowed through the crowd, it appeared to hit a woman who fell to the ground. Protesters gathered around her to offer help.

Chicago police did not release information about the driver as of late Tuesday night, and it wasn’t immediately clear if anyone was hospitalized.

The incident happened as two protests of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests hit Chicago’s streets Tuesday afternoon before merging into one large protest. It was the latest in a string of demonstrations in support of immigrant communities in the city.

Protesters crowd Adams Street in front of the Art Institute of Chicago on Tuesday afternoon. Two groups of demonstrators linked up to form a larger protest against Trump administration immigration raids across the country.

There were some skirmishes between police and protesters as officers — some clutching batons — tried to hold their ground. In one clash near Washington and State, protesters could be heard screaming “no violence” and “let him go” as officers tried to detain a man in a bicycle helmet.

Although several people could be seen being taken into custody, police did not immediately say how many arrests were made.

‘If I don’t speak up for her, who will?’

The protests follow President Donald Trump’s monthslong campaign against immigration, as the government ramps up the number of arrests immigration officers must make each day.

The first demonstration, with a few hundred people, started Tuesday afternoon outside immigration court, 50 E. Adams St., and proceeded toward Federal Plaza, 230 S. Dearborn St., where it converged with a larger group of protesters.

Thousands marched through the Loop, shutting down CTA bus service and creating a standstill on DuSable Lake Shore Drive near Grant Park as protesters crossed the thoroughfare.

Police detain protesters during a rally and march Tuesday in the Loop. The demonstrations were in solidarity with protests in Los Angeles against ICE detentions and the Trump administration's deployment of National Guard units and Marines. — Police detain protesters during a rally and march Tuesday in the Loop. The demonstrations were in solidarity with protests in Los Angeles against ICE detentions and the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard units and Marines.

Ivanna Vidal was walking out of her downtown workplace when she saw a group of protesters marching down La Salle Street.

She took one look at their signs and decided to join.

Demonstrators wave Mexican flags at Daley Plaza.

“Abolish ICE” and “No human is Illegal” read some of the signs.

“I’m a first-generation citizen, my parents were born in Mexico. It’s something I’m super-passionate about,” said Vidal, 19, of West Lawn.

Vidal said she doesn’t know anyone who has been impacted by the recent raids but wanted to show support to those who have.

“My family is safe, but there are many who aren’t,” she said. “This is impacting our community, and we need to stand up for those who can’t speak up for themselves.”

Ivanna Vidal chants along with the larger group during a rally and march in solidarity with protests in Los Angeles against ICE dentition and operations on Tuesday. — Lizbeth Rios of Gage Park joined the demonstration to advocate for immigrants in Chicago, including her family.

Lizbeth Rios of Gage Park joined the demonstration to advocate for immigrants in Chicago, including her family. Her mother, who is undocumented, immigrated from Mexico to Chicago more than 30 years ago.

“She doesn’t have status, but I do, and if I don’t speak up for her, who will?” said Rios, 25.

Rios said she was glad to see protests occurring across the country but said she doubted they would lead to policy changes.

“I don’t think there’s much that can be done, but we can only hope,” she said. “I think that unless you’re undocumented, or know someone who is, you’ll never truly understand or feel like us who are out here today.”

Some people arrived with friends, others showed up with their children. A migrant woman with her child wrapped around her back moved through the crowd trying to sell candy.

“I think that everybody deserves a chance,” said Maria Johnson, 23. “I mean, you’re, if you are on TikTok or Instagram or anything, you are getting firsthand perspectives of people getting dragged out of their homes or their workplaces. And it’s upsetting. I just don’t think that’s [the] America I thought I was gonna have to deal with.”

Protests hold signs and chant during a rally and march in solidarity with protests in Los Angeles against ICE dentition and operations, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. | — Protesters hold signs and chant during a rally and march in the Loop on Tuesday in solidarity with protests in Los Angeles against ICE detentions of immigrants.

Meanwhile, Mariana Gonzalez and Lizbeth Alvarez were walking downtown when they heard chants nearby. They joined other protesters as they heard calls for an end to the raids.

“I thought the raids would stop, but they’re just getting worse,” said Mariana, 16. “My parents are immigrants from Mexico and they can’t be [out here], but we can.”

Lizbeth, also 16, said, “No matter how small, we’re using our voices, and it sends a message.”

Thousands of protesters march through the loop decrying increased immigration enforcement across the country, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Chicago.