Anti-ICE Protests Held in Chicago Area 1 Month After Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis

Rallies honor victims of federal agent shootings as immigration operations continue across the country

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Anti-ICE protests were held in the Chicago area on Saturday, marking one month since the fatal shooting of Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Community members gathered to honor the lives of those killed by federal agents, including Good and others such as Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez in Franklin Park, Illinois. The protests come as immigration operations continue across the country, with concerns raised about the "thuggishness" and "violence" of federal agents' actions.

Why it matters

The protests highlight growing concerns in immigrant communities about the use of force by federal immigration agents, as well as the ongoing impact of immigration enforcement actions on families and neighborhoods. The events also reflect broader debates around immigration policy, civil liberties, and the role of law enforcement.

The details

Demonstrators gathered at locations across the Chicago area, including the Casa DuPage Workers Center in Wheaton, where they built and decorated altars to honor those killed by federal agents. The altars featured paper flowers, 'papel picado,' and paintings to keep the victims' memories alive. Among those honored were Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, as well as Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, who was killed last September in Franklin Park, Illinois. The partner of Villegas-Gonzalez, Blanca Mora, also attended the event and thanked the community for their support.

  • The protests were held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, marking one month since the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The players

Renee Good

A person who was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez

A person who was killed by federal agents in Franklin Park, Illinois, last September.

Blanca Mora

The partner of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez.

Cristobal Cavazos

The executive director at Casa DuPage Workers Center.

Samantha Valdez

A volunteer at Casa DuPage Workers Center.

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What they’re saying

“It just kind of shows what we're living right now in this moment with ICE, the attacks on our community. The thuggishness, the violence that we're seeing.”

— Cristobal Cavazos, Executive Director, Casa DuPage Workers Center (abc7chicago.com)

“We're creating some paper flowers, 'papel picado,' and doing paintings to not only keep their memories alive, but items that represented them and the fights they were doing before they passed.”

— Samantha Valdez, Volunteer, Casa DuPage Workers Center (abc7chicago.com)

“Renee was not the first person killed, and she was not the last... their families are hurting just like mine, even if they don't look like mine. They are neighbors, friends, coworkers, classmates. And we must also know their names. Because this shouldn't happen to anyone.”

— Becca Good (abc7chicago.com)

“ICE is attacking most vulnerable in our community. If we don't stand up for them, If we're not defending our neighbors, then can we even call ourselves good neighbors?”

— Kasia Merlak, Protester (abc7chicago.com)

What’s next

The finished altars will be moved to Franklin Park and displayed in the same area where Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez was killed.

The takeaway

The protests highlight the ongoing tensions and concerns within immigrant communities about the actions of federal immigration agents, as well as the broader debates around immigration policy, civil liberties, and the role of law enforcement. The events also demonstrate the desire of local communities to honor the memories of those impacted by these incidents and to stand in solidarity with affected families.