Caption by Ashmar Mandou

Protesters took over the Federal Plaza on President’s Day to oppose President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency on the country’s southern border. The declaration empowers Trump to mobilize the military and access billions of dollars in funds to construct border walls and barriers. The rally was organized by Indivisible Chicago with partners The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Women’s March Chicago, SEIU Healthcare IL to name a few. “We reject the so-called compromise legislation not only because the GOP negotiated in bad faith but also because it’s bad policy. This deal on border security expands funding and other resources for a system that has recklessly separated families without tracking the children they kidnapped from parents, physically abused those seeking asylum, and denied access through lies and deception,” Indivisible Chicago released in a statement.