Chicago Broadcasting Network

Over a thousand individuals showed up on Sheridan Rd near Berwyn to voice their opposition to the federal government’s interference in Chicago’s immigration policy and express the belief that that the current federal administration has overstepped its authority by circumventing the constitution in a number of actions, but especially those taken specifically against Chicago.

Sheridan Rd sometimes referred to as the Miami Beach of Chicago is home to a number of seniors many of whom are part of the Boomer Generation. No strangers to demonstrating for the good of society they showed up today.

The broader Edgewater neighborhood (zip code 60640) is home to about 67,000 residents, predominantly white but with a diverse racial mix that is approximately 10% Asian and 13% Hispanic. The median age is around 38 years old with about 25% over age 50.

Many in this age group are wise to keep their sometimes frail bones out of the crush of fast moving downtown demonstrations but nonetheless showed their support and solidarity with the larger rallies.

This was an exuberant crowd that sang, “This Land is Your Land” and chanted “Hands Off Chicago.”

A number of parents were on hand or drove by with their young children to show them that “this is what democracy looks like.”

Many will ask what is the use or what is the point of such demonstrations? To them I say, this is an opportunity for people to show support for each other, to demonstrate solidarity and display that democracy is not just ballots cast in private but also the freedom to let your voice be heard, standing together in public as a group in the light of day with no fear of reprisals showing the world that indeed “this is what democracy looks like.”