‘Shame on you’: Community organizers protest Customs and Border Protection conference

Sounds of protest filled the air near McCormick Place as community organizers gathered in objection to a Customs and Border Protection conference Tuesday morning.

Surrounding seven white crosses — for seven children who died during detainment in U.S. immigration facilities — and cages holding dolls covered in aluminum foil blankets, organizers gave speeches and led protesters in chants.

Organizers also played audio recordings of children allegedly crying while in detainment.

“Down, down for deportation; up, up for liberation,” the crowd chanted. “ICE and borders, we don’t need ’em; what we need is total freedom.”

At a few points, cars — and even a small bus of children — drove by the protesters, honking in solidarity.

The protest was colored with frequent choruses of boos and cries of “Shame on you” at the Marriott Marquis, the hotel hosting the CBP conference.

“I want them to know that we’re vigilant and aware . . . and [Customs and Border Protection] is not welcome,” said community organizer Tatiana Muñoz, 22.

Marriott International stated earlier this month it would not allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement to use its hotels as detention centers. Protest organizer Rey Wences, 28, and others believe the convention violates that promise.

“This is our statement that [Customs and Border Protection] are not welcome in Chicago,” said Wences.

Chicago police on bicycles encircled the protesters to keep them orderly. From outside the hotel’s entrance, more officers watched. A few guests periodically stepped out to observe.

Anna Rubin, 26, said organizers have called Marriott Marquis management “every day in the past week” to demand they disinvite CBP from the hotel.

“I want people to recognize that CBP is … coming into our own city,” said Rubin. “It’s a fight for our own backyard.”

When asked for a response to the protests, a Marriott Marquis spokesperson said, “This morning’s protest ended without incident.”

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s mission is not just about securing the border,” the CBP said in a statement.

Immigrant rights activists protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts its 2019 Trade Symposium. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

1 of 19

Casildo Cuevas (center) joins dozens of other immigrant rights activists to protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts the 2019 Trade Symposium. | Sun-Times file photo

2 of 19

Rosio Almazan, of the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, joins dozens of other immigrant rights activists to protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts the 2019 Trade Symposium. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

3 of 19

Immigrant rights activists protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts the 2019 Trade Symposium on Tuesday. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

4 of 19

U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts the 2019 Trade Symposium at the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

5 of 19

Immigrant rights activists protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts its 2019 Trade Symposium. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

6 of 19

Immigrant rights activists protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts the 2019 Trade Symposium. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

7 of 19

U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts the 2019 Trade Symposium at the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

8 of 19

Immigrant rights activists protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts its 2019 Trade Symposium. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

9 of 19

Immigrant rights activists protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts its 2019 Trade Symposium. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

10 of 19

Conference attendees and passersby watch as immigrant rights activists protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts the 2019 Trade Symposium on Tuesday. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

11 of 19

Immigrant rights activists protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts its 2019 Trade Symposium. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

12 of 19

Maria Partida, of Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, joins dozens of other immigrant rights activists to protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts the 2019 Trade Symposium. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

13 of 19

Immigrant rights activists protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts its 2019 Trade Symposium. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

14 of 19

Santiago Magana Jr., of the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, leads a chant as immigrant rights activists to protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts the 2019 Trade Symposium. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

15 of 19

U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts the 2019 Trade Symposium at the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

16 of 19

Immigrant rights activists protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts its 2019 Trade Symposium. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

17 of 19

U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts the 2019 Trade Symposium at the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

18 of 19

Immigrant rights activists protest outside the Marriott Marquis Chicago on Tuesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosts its 2019 Trade Symposium. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

19 of 19