Illinois anti-ICE students assault, throw rocks at Trump supporter in the street

An anti-ICE protest in Aurora, Illinois, turned violent on Friday after a student-led demonstration outside City Hall escalated into an assault on a Trump supporter.

The man was seen unfurling a Trump flag and saying “Make America Great Again,” prompting some activists in the crowd to begin throwing rocks, water bottles, and shoes at him. The man was struck and kicked multiple times. After several minutes, volunteers helped him escape into a nearby bank.

“A vehicle involved in reckless driving was located and issued multiple citations, and two other traffic-related incidents also resulted in citations. Officers responded to a report of an individual being chased by protesters in the downtown area. After the downtown crowd had dispersed, an aggravated battery was reported in the 300 block of North Lincoln Avenue following a fight involving several juveniles. This incident remains under investigation,” said an Aurora police spokesperson, according to WGN 9.

The protest began before 11 am and included students from East and West Aurora High Schools and Lake View High School. Demonstrators were protesting federal immigration enforcement policies.

Ahead of the event, two superintendents asked parents via social media to encourage students to remain in class, emphasizing that the request was not an endorsement of either side of the immigration debate but an effort to keep students in school. Roughly 500 to 600 students from multiple schools, along with adult volunteers, were present on Friday.

The unrest follows a student-led walkout in Aura last week that resulted in several arrests after students ignored officers, walked onto the street, and threw objects.