Protesters pass in front of the Art Institute. The Loop, 9/6/25.

By Dominic Guanzon

Saturday, 9/6/25

THE LOOP, CHICAGO — At least three thousand people protested the imminent deployment of the National Guard to the city by President Trump, as well as a surge of raids by federal agents targeting undocumented people.

Protesters march down Michigan Avenue. The Loop, 9/6/25.

The crowd marched up State Street and down Michigan Avenue after a rally at Congress Plaza put on by the Coalition Against the Trump Agenda and its member organizations. The protest had been planned throughout the week, ready to be called at pre-determined times depending on the organizers’ decision.

According to footage from the Coalition, the march passed by the ICE office on Ida B Wells Drive.

*Protesters pass under the L at State Street. The Loop, 9/6/25.*

“It’s heart-wrenching. It’s not what we signed up for,” said a Marine Corps veteran taking part in the march. “Remember that you have an obligation to not follow unlawful orders,” he said in a message directly to individual Guard. “Every [service]member has a responsibility to disobey unlawful orders.”

After circling the Loop, the demonstration dispersed peacefully back at Congress Plaza, just outside the ongoing Taste of Chicago.

Protest marshals and legal observers from the National Lawyers Guild were present for a relatively moderate police presence.

The end of the march back at Congress Plaza was greeted with an impromptu drum circle led by Hana Center Chicago, as the Taste of Chicago continued nearby. The Loop, 9/6/25.