Protesters gather in downtown Chicago to oppose ICE operations

Protesters march in downtown Chicago amid increased ICE activity

Protesters gathered late Tuesday afternoon in downtown Chicago to demonstrate against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

CHICAGO - Protesters gathered late Tuesday afternoon in downtown Chicago to demonstrate against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

What we know:

The protest began at 5 p.m. at the intersection of Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue.

Less than three hours before the protest started near Trump Tower, U.S. Border Patrol's Gregory Bovino shared video on social media showing him and other agents cruising along the Chicago River. The video was filmed last week.

Tuesday's rally was held one day after Gov. JB Pritzker announced military troops could be coming to Chicago at the request of the Department of Homeland Security. 

Hundreds of demonstrators met near Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive to protest the possibility, along with voicing their frustrations over an early morning ICE raid, and recent chemical munition on crowds at the Broadview ICE processing facility. 

Protesters march in downtown Chicago against ICE

Protesters gathered on Tuesday to march in downtown Chicago against ICE.

Earlier Tuesday, Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson urged the Department of Homeland Security to put an end to what she called "hostile actions" targeting the community and to dismantle the security fence outside the village’s ICE processing center.

She further warned that the repeated use of chemical agents and force against protesters amounts to "making war on my community," placing both residents and first responders at risk.

Broadview mayor demands ICE halt ?hostile actions,? remove fence at processing center

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson called on the Department of Homeland Security to halt what she described as "hostile actions" against the community and to remove a security fence erected outside the village?s ICE processing facility.

The backstory:

On Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker announced the Trump administration is seeking to deploy 100 military troops to Illinois to protect federal immigration personnel and facilities.

Pritzker said the Illinois National Guard learned that the Department of Homeland Security sent a memo to the Department of War requesting the deployment. No timeline or additional details have been released. 

RELATED: Feds seek deployment of 100 troops to Illinois to protect ICE agents, Pritzker says

Tuesday's demonstration also follows sightings of dozens of ICE officers on Sunday walking along Wacker Drive, Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park, the Riverwalk and River North. Some were dressed in military-style uniforms and masks.