Hundreds March to Federal Plaza to Protest Trump's Immigration Policy

CHICAGO, IL — With the idea to "build a wall of solidarity," hundreds of demonstrators marched to Federal Plaza on Thursday night to protest President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting immigrants earlier this week.

Protesters chanted "No hate! No fear! Immigrants are welcome here!" and "The people united will never be divided" as they filled the plaza on South Dearborn Street, the original destination for last week's Women's March on Chicago. Participants marched along Clark Street from Congress Parkway before gathering at Federal Plaza.

Thursday's demonstration was held to speak out against a pair of executive orders Trump signed Wednesday that opens the door to building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and threatens to withhold federal grant money to "sanctuary cities," such as Chicago, which are considered safe zones for undocumented immigrants. The protest also was a preemptive salvo against a leaked draft executive order — known as the "Muslim ban" — that would institute "extreme vetting" of immigrants and visitors to the country when it comes to political opinions and ideology.

RELATED: Trump Cracks Down On 'Sanctuary Cities' Like Chicago

Here's a look at what things looked like down in the Loop on Thursday night:

Demonstrators march in downtown Chicago to protest President Donald Trump's inauguration Jan. 20. (photo by Joe Vince)

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