Watch Hundreds March In Frankfort To Protest Border Separations

FRANKFORT, IL — Hundreds of people gathered Saturday at Frankfort's Breidert Green to speak out against Trump administration's practice of separating children from parents who cross illegally into the United States. The Frankfort rally and march were part of more than 700 similar events around the country protesting the "zero tolerance" immigration policy that was only recently put on hold by an executive order from President Donald Trump.

The administration's reversal of its so-called border separation — as well as sweltering temperatures in the 90s — didn't stop demonstrators from listening to several speakers before eventually marching through the village's downtown. Protesters proceeded down Nebraska Street to Old Plank Trail and the pedestrian bridge over LaGrange Road. That's where participants displayed handmade signs as cars drove by, occasionally honking in support.

Patch editor Joe Vince live-streamed Saturday's event, and you can watch the speeches given during the rally in the above video. He also interviewed some of the demonstrators to find out why they participated in the march. (Editor's note: Temperatures were so hot Saturday that the camera shut down and could not be unlocked until the device had cooled down. The following footage from the event was taken before the camera overheated.)

ORIGINAL STORY

FRANKFORT, IL — When organizers began putting together a Frankfort rally and march as part of the nationwide Families Belong Together series of demonstrations Saturday, the Trump administration still was enforcing a "zero tolerance" policy of separating children from parents who cross illegally into the United States. But even after President Donald Trump signed an executive order eliminating the border separation practice, activists behind these protests urge people to remain vigilant when it comes to holding the administration accountable.

"From my perspective, the whole intent of the march was to make sure that the administration — that people in the area — knew the importance of families, of keeping families together," said Emily Biegel, founder of Southwest Suburban Activists, which is sponsoring the Frankfort demonstration. "That should be of the utmost responsibility for anybody."

The Frankfort event will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 30, at Breidert Green. Participants will gather for a rally before marching through downtown to Old Plank Trail and across the LaGrange Road pedestrian bridge. (Check back at that time to watch live video of the event by Patch editor Joe Vince)

More than 700 similar rallies will be held at the same time in all 50 states, with the main demonstration being held in Washington, D.C. Organizers hope these events not only reunite families broken up because of the country's border separation practice, but also force the Trump administration to re-examine its immigration policies.

RELATED: Family Separations At The Border: Illinois Protests On June 30

"[The executive order] doesn't provide any comfort for the families already separated and makes no attempts to rectify matters," said Jennifer Kmitch, a New Lenox resident and SWSA board member who helping to put together the protest. "I think from a humanity standpoint, I don't think anybody should feel comfortable right now as it stands. I don't think anybody should feel like we should be sitting on our laurels and not doing anything."

Along with speaking out, education also will be a key part of Saturday's event. Speakers will include:

• the Rev. Greg Millikin of Grace Episcopal Church in New Lenox
• Rama Atieh, a social worker with the Syrian Community Network in Chicago
• Dr. Dora Marie Johns Wolfe, a clinical psychologist in New Lenox
• Rima Najia, immigration and citizenship coordinator at Arab American Family Services in Bridgeview

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-2nd District) is set to attend the rally, as well.

Organizers of Saturday's rally and march might share a political ideology, but that's not the strongest thread that ties many of them together.

"We're all mothers," Kmitch said. "This really hit home, that someone could take our kid — anybody's kid — to take them away, to rip them away and take them some place other than their parents' arms, that is just disgusting."

Frankfort resident Michelle Donecki, an event organizer also on the group's board, echoed those sentiments.

"I'm a parent, and if anybody took my child away from me and I'm seeking asylum … words can't even express," she said, adding that she has relatives who agreed with the original border separation policy, arguing that "the law is the law."

But Tammy Georgiou, Donecki's fellow SWSA board member, thinks those beliefs fly in the face of the principles this country was built on.

"It's so horrible," the Palos Hills resident said. "It's not what we as a country are about. I can't reconcile it, and I need to have my voice heard with other people who feel the same way. We need to raise our voices and let the administration know that this is not acceptable."

Families Belong Together: The Basics

When: 11 a.m. Saturday, June 30

Where: Breidert Green, downtown Frankfort

More Information: Go to the Frankfort event's Facebook page and the national event's website.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Saturday, June 30, on Breidert Green in Frankfort for a rally and march that was a part of Families Belong Together, one of more than 700 events around the country protesting the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy of separating children from parents who cross illegally into the United States. (Photo by Joe Vince | Patch)