Protecting Immigrant Rights

9-11-25

Dear Indivisible Members,

 At last night's program on protecting immigrant rights, we heard heart-breaking migrant stories shared by panelists and audience members. They challenged us all to try innovative ideas that might work in blue states like Illinois, even as we continue to face an authoritarian federal administration.  You can check it all out in these materials:

Here is a link to all the slides.  Click images and underlined words for links to events, handouts, and other resources.  They will each open up in a separate tab.  Please share this information within your circle of influence, especially the Know Your Rights materials linked on the very first slide (click each image).

Here is a link to the video recording of our panel on protecting immigrant rights.

We hope that you will join our Immigrant Rights Protection Team here to continue to get updates and learn of actions you can take.  

IWSC Bridge Brigade

On today's What's the Plan, Indivisible's co-founder Leah Greenberg opened up by discussing yesterday's assassination of political figure Charlie Kirk, saying, "we have to collectively condemn and react with horror... no matter the target or the perpetrator".  

The brand-new IWSC Bridge Brigade agrees, and this afternoon they "spoke out" against hate in giant letters over I-294.  Thanks to that whole team for sharing this message with rush hour drivers.

Political violence is not acceptable. We remain committed to vocal but peaceful resistance.  That is not only the moral thing, it is also necessary in order to build the pro-democracy country we want.

The Bridge Brigade will be continuing this effort, stayed tuned for future dates to join us.

Coming Up Next

Saturday, Sep 13- No Trump No ICE Protest. 5PM at the Great Lakes Naval Base 464 Sheridan Rd., North Chicago, IL. This action is via the Coalition Against Trump and Milwaukee Fights Back.  There was no link provided for further details.

Monday, Sep 15 -  Solidarity in Action: Creating Mutual Aid & Community Response Teams - Zoom

Tuesdays Sep 16 & Oct 7- Postcard Party - Imperial Oak, Brookfield

Monday, Sep 22 - Postcard Party - Western Springs Library

Wednesday, Oct 8 -    IWSC member mtg - Brookfield Library

Saturday, Oct 18 - Please save-the-date for the next No Kings Protest Rally.  

Postcards to Swing States

If you are interested in helping the local Postcards to Swing States efforts, you can learn more HERE. They now have more than 5,000 postcard orders in their queue that need help to pack up and ship out ASAP. The office is in Willowbrook and you can sign up to sort and pack postcards HERE. No heavy lifting or walking required. They are hoping to ship out 11 million postcards this year for efforts in Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Thank you for your help!

Each day it becomes clearer that the Trump regime is sending troops and additional Federal agents to Chicago under the guise of making us safer. We don’t need to tell you all the reasons why this is an unconstitutional power grab intended to terrorize our communities and silence our voices. We ask: what should we do and when? This is especially important given that increased immigration enforcement activity is imminent. This email provides our latest thinking and where to find actions. 

The best ways forward will be seen as the situation on the ground evolves. In all of our actions, Indivisible Chicago is committed to non-violence and to engaging in de-escalation of any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values. 

What we do know: Today, Governor Pritzker confirmed that Trump has deployed the Texas National Guard to the Great Lakes Naval Base, awaiting possible orders to deploy to Chicago. There are also reports of a large increase of Homeland Security and ICE agents in the area. Among other things, Trump regime officials are expected to target the Mexican Independence Day celebrations taking place September 14th-16th. We know there will be a need for rapid and vocal opposition to these actions and for Chicagoans to resist and peacefully protest these federal actions. A number of different groups will be organizing a range of actions in response to escalated federal activity. We can expect a variety of protests to be organized, and we will decide where Indivisible Chicago will organize or support and where we are not able to lend our support. We also know that there are many different ways to protest and that it is more important than ever to have visibility beyond the Loop. Beyond protest, there will also be a need to assist the immigrant and unhoused communities, who will be targeted. 

 What we do not know: At this time, we do not know the full extent of who will be sent to Chicago and where they will be deployed or for how long. We will adjust our plans and actions based on what is occurring. 

 What to do : 

  Be Loud and Be Visible: In the next day or so, we will have signs that you can print to make clear your - and all of Chicago’s - opposition to Trump’s illegal action. Be on alert to this and other actions we will be sharing with you.

Be Ready to Act: We have not organized or signed on to any specific protest at this time; we see how things develop and weigh how we can be most impactful. As with all protests, we urge everyone to weigh their risks and to consider the information in our Safety Guidelines and Tips for Protesters.

Support those Most Impacted: We must show our opposition to Trump’s actions in ways that center and support the most impacted communities. That means standing with those under direct attack through a variety of actions such as: providing mutual aid, sharing signage and educational materials with local businesses, responding rapidly in areas  where ICE is active, and more. Examples are:

ICE Not Welcome Here Door Signs (including Know Your Rights  or KYR) for businesses and homes (coming soon)

Recording and documenting (how to safely record and document events)

Family Support Network (FSN) information and other telephone numbers. Refer to Family Support Network & Hotline | ICIRR 

 We will let you know about future actions planned by ICA and by other organizations we work with via our Daily Actions and in future emails like this one. Things change daily so we need to be prepared to act quickly in response. If you have not signed up, please do so at Indivisible Chicago Daily Actions. 

We are proud to plan alongside you as we continue to take action.

--Indivisible Chicago

Solidarity In Action Series - 9/15

"Solidarity in Action: Training For System Change and Allyship" Series  is a speaker series that focuses on ensuring Indivisibles have the skills and support to show up in support of communities under threat and build strong ties across our multiracial, pluralistic coalition of progressive organizations. 

Creating Mutual Aid/Community Response Teams, with Stephanie Rearick
September 15, 2025, 6PM. Stephanie Rearcik is the founder of "HUMANs" (Humans United Mutual Networks), a global umbrella cooperative offering tools, experiences and material support. Learn practical strategies for communities to support one another outside of traditional power structures and develop grassroots support networks that provide essential resources and support. We will provide information on accessing Indivisible resources to do this critical work.

Future speakers include:

Understanding Systemic Oppression and Privilege, with Tim Wise  
October 21, 2025 6PM CT

Ongoing Actions:

Ground Avelo Airlines

Avelo Airlines wants you to think they’re “refreshingly simple.” What they don’t put on the billboards and “hello, avelo” marketing posters: they’re the first commercial airline in the U.S. to sign a deportation charter contract with ICE. Unmarked, secretive flights. No guarantee of due process. Public money subsidizing mass deportations. 

Indivisible is working to stop Avelo Airlines for profiteering from deportations! Learn how here.

Indivisible Illinois is Canvassing NOW in key districts! This program will focus on setting up canvassing across the state and in key battleground districts in neighboring states. Whether you want to canvass in your own neighborhood or help us flip critical districts, in Illinois and surrounding states we want you on board. Sign up here to receive more info on this effort.

Join our group's Immigrant Rights Protection Team to support our immigrant neighbors. Thousands of immigrants in the U.S. are being snatched off the streets, from their homes or at their workplaces every day, and most of them are otherwise law-abiding people who have been here for years and are working, raising families and contributing to our society. And it’s only going to get worse as ICE rapidly builds up its force of masked goons.

Indivisible West Suburban Chicago wants to fight back, and we’re grateful for your interest. We eventually hope to form or become part of a Rapid Response Team that would respond to ICE sightings, canvass our communities to share Know Your Rights information and undertake other activities.

To start, we will email you some current opportunities to get involved. Some are virtual trainings or other actions accessible to most volunteers. Others are most appropriate for volunteers who live or work in certain areas where ICE activity is most expected.

Sign up HERE to get started.

Coming Together in Community

We've learned from much experience that coming together in community is the best way to create lasting change and tackle problems together. Sign up here to learn about hosting a small house party to screen a film or virtual training with your friends & fellow members. We'll take you through all the steps from there.

Another way you can help is to join us as volunteers at various events. You can sign up to be on the list for volunteer opportunities as they arise HERE:

Join our Witness Slip Team

Our group's Witness Slip Team is off to a great start! We combine efforts to let Illinois legislators know our support or opposition to a bill. The process is simple and makes an impact. Click the link below to join us. Once you join you will receive instructions and periodic emails that will require a quick turnaround to file a witness slip online.

IL Witness Slip Team Group signup  

Food Pantry Donations - NEW!

You can now donate your garden's produce to the St. Cletus Food Pantry! 

If your vegetable garden is blooming and you want to share the wealth, consider donating some of your bounty to the St. Cletus Food Pantry! On average, they serve 170 households per week and fresh produce is always in demand. They can accept produce donations on Wednesdays from 9 am - 1 pm and Thursdays from 10 am - 1 pm. Please bring your donations into the pantry - do not put them in the donation bins. The pantry is located at 600 W. 55th St. in La Grange. NOTE: They are not accepting donations Sept 3-4.

The St. Cletus Food Bank also accepts donated non-perishable items in the donation bins at 600 W. 55th St any time!

The Westchester Food Pantry is also grateful for all items we can send their way.  We will now be collecting food for the Westchester Food Pantry at our monthly meetings. Feel free to bring canned, non-perishable items, or paper bags with handles, to our monthly meetings and we will get them to the pantry.

You may also drop off your items for the Westchester Food Bank to any of the locations below:

LaGrange Park

621 SHERWOOD ROAD - porch drop anytime

346 N. ASHLAND- porch drop anytime

Western Springs

5405 CAROLINE AVE- porch drop anytime

First Congregational Church- 1106 Chestnut St. - Inside doors Mon-Fri 9-2pm and Sunday mornings.

Adopt a Local Board

Local government is crucial to our daily lives and immediate communities. We need folks who are willing to attend local meetings of Village Trustees, School Boards, Library Boards and so on, and keep our elected officials committee up to date on what's going on at the most local level, and hold our elected officials accountable. Sign up HERE to help! If you would like to learn more you can email Abby at abbyindivisible@gmail.com. 

Take Action - Texting Team

Our group will be piloting  the use of texting to our members when a rapid response is needed for legislation, witness slips, protests, and any other immediate actions. Some of you may have volunteered for texting programs during the recent elections. If you would be interested in being a part of this effort, either helping to organize or in sending and moderating  texts, email Jeanette  at jiq@valeko.com for further information.

Project 2025 Tracker

The group Red Wine and Blue has created a Reality of Project 2025 website – a resource which not only explains how extremists are implementing this plan, but what we can do to stop it. We wanted to share this site to educate ourselves and continuously monitor this. You can check out the website here

Take Action - 5 Calls website

Take action any time from any place - Click here to link to the 5 calls website.

Take Action - Truth and Share

Access the website by clicking here.

With love and solidarity in all we have come through, and on our journey ahead,

Your local organizers in

Indivisible West Suburban Chicago