Guitars proved popular, giving a backdrop to gatherings of all sizes. Trumpets got people invested in chants. A couple of accordions became staples at Broadview’s ICE facility. Drums of all kinds, especially makeshift ones, were by far the most common instrument, keeping a pulse on things. Like a beating heart, they adjusted tempo when the heat turned up.

Meanwhile, “Solidarity Forever,” “All You Fascists Bound to Lose,” and even “Sweet Home Chicago” were notable songs performed at Broadview’s ICE facility as part of vigils, prayer services, and rallies.

A personal photo collection of live music and its role in defying a world falling apart.

“I’ll never forget those aimless years.

Street sounds swirling through my mind.

Trouble was often in the air,

So we fought to forget our despair.

I’m a street player,

And I’ll play you a song.”

– “Street Player,” Chicago

A busker on the Mag Mile plays on a street corner while Palestinian protesters, partly led by the US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), march in the background. 6/14.

A protester plays a trumpet in the face of an Illinois State Police trooper (left) and a Border Patrol agent (right). 10/3. LINK TO ARTICLE

An accordion player performs in between federal violence at a protest action against the ICE Staging Area/de facto detention center at Broadview. 9/26.

Joselyn Walsh, one of the “Broadview Six” and a member of Songs for Liberation Protest Music Collective, performs with her guitar. The Six were federally indicted for allegedly “impeding” a federal officer. Walsh’s guitar was pierced by a rubber bullet fired from the roof of the Broadview ICE facility on 9/26. She has since chosen to keep the hole unrepaired as part of protest performances. 10/10.

Walsh with her guitar on her back and arms outstretched while performing down the street from the Broadview ICE facility. 11/21.

Members of the Chicago Bucket Boys join the tail end of the CATA “People’s Independence” march across the river from Trump Tower, leading chants of “free, free Palestine.” 7/4.

An empty laundry detergent bucket is used as a makeshift drum outside the Broadview ICE facility. The drum sticks kick up snow from the concrete barrier. 12/6. LINK TO ARTICLE

Protesters dance to music between episodes of federal violence at the Harvard St approach to the Broadview ICE facility. Broadview, IL, 9/26/25.

Musicians, including members of Songs for Liberation Protest Music Collective, perform in one of many vigils, programs, and prayer services in the protest area of the Broadview ICE facility. 10/17.

Demonstrators from the pro-Palestine, anti-ICE contingent during the Chicago Pride Parade, headed by OCAD and Chicago’s Gay Liberation Network. Two marchers are playing waisted hand drums. A third plays an orange bucket with sticks. Another protester wearing a cat mask, a keffiyeh, and a rainbow umbrella holds a sign: “STOP THE GENOCIDE.” 6/29.

A drum circle led by HANA Center at the end of the first “No Trump, No Troops” rally and march. In the far background is the Taste of Chicago. 9/6.

A guitarist plays amidst the “Hands Off” rally at Daley Plaza. Their foot is propped up on their guitar case to support them. 4/5.

Protesters in black bloc and respirators play the drums at the 25th St approach to the Broadview ICE facility in Broadview. One holds a bucket, while the other plays with drum sticks, one of which is held together by red tape. 10/03. LINK TO ARTICLE

Protesters at Daley Plaza with various percussion instruments during the first “No Kings” rally and march. Two are using waisted hand drums. One uses a shaker. Another in the foreground hits a cowbell. 6/14

A protester in a keffiyeh and summer wear warms up on their trumpet as the OCAD/GLN contingent of the Chicago Pride Parade prepare in the background. One marcher writes on the back of their sign: “QUEER AS IN FUCK THE POLICE.” 6/29.

Julii Upright of the Chicago branch of the PSL (@pslchicago) chants on a megaphone while playing a marching bass drum during the second CATA “No Trump, No Troops” march in The Loop. 9/9.

A protester with a tambourine at the Broadview ICE facility on Beach St leans over the concrete barricades of the designated protest zone to graffiti it with chalk. 10/19.

A protester practices on their snare drum while waiting for the city of Broadview to remove the mutual aid encampment around the corner from the ICE facility. Several dozen volunteers and their supporters came out to protest the removal, which eventually happened in the evening when police-escorted public works removed containers full of supplies. The supplies were eventually put into a dumpster, which volunteers were able to partially recover on their own. 10/30.

A protester oversees a soundboard on a battery-operated pushcart. The mobile system was used to amplify chant leaders and some instruments part of the anti-ICE, pro-Palestine OCAD/GLN contingent of the Chicago Pride Parade. 6/29.