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¡Latinos Unidos!
Area Latino residents and allies peacefully march in solidarity around the square to show unity amidst uncertainty
¡Latinos Unidos!
About 100 people marched around Monroe’s downtown square on Monday afternoon, Feb. 3, in support of the area’s Latino community. - photo by Adam Krebs

MONROE — Theatrics are unfolding across the nation as the second Trump administration promises to crack down on illegal immigration. It has even been speculated by the administration that subverting parts of the 14th amendment recognizing birthright citizenship is on the table.

On Monday, Feb. 3, the local Latino community and their allies came together in Monroe to show unity. Area residents with roots from central and South America came to downtown Monroe and for one hour cheerfully and peacefully marched around the square.

“Today, a lot of places in the United States, a lot of town cities [is] No Latinos in USA Day,” said Cintya Villavicencio of Monroe. “Meaning that we didn’t work, we didn’t buy anything, and we didn’t send our kids to school.”

Cintya Villavicencio
Cintya Villavicencio, owner of Abarrotes La Orizabena in downtown Monroe, was a lead organizer of the Feb. 3 march in Monroe, which brought in many Green, Lafayette and Stephenson county residents with Latino backgrounds. Villavicencio carried a large American flag in her right hand while holding a smaller Mexican flag in her left hand. Wrapped around her is the flag of Ecuador, the country she was born in. She came to the U.S. in 2005 and has lived in Monroe since 2010. - photo by Adam Krebs

Villavicencio was one of the local organizers of the event. She owns Abarrotes La Orizabena, a Mexican grocery store just off the square.

“We have a small little group in WhatsApp, and yesterday we decided to do this march,” she said. “We were afraid, to be honest. We were afraid because all this gossiping about ICE being here,” she said, referencing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency in charge of finding and eventually deporting illegal immigrants.

Villavicencio contacted Monroe Chief of Police Fred Kelley, who assured her city law enforcement would work with the group so they could march peacefully. Between 80-100 people met at Abarrotes La Orizabena at about 3 p.m., and a short while later began their multi-lap procession around the downtown streets despite the cold. 

“I am so excited — like this is happening right now. The adrenaline that I feel is amazing,” Villavicencio said.

latino unidas
About 100 people of multiple cultures attended a united march around Monroe’s square Feb. 3. - photo by Adam Krebs

“Monroe is a very special community,” said Alex Hernandez, a 2023 Monroe High School graduate. “It’s really magical for me to see all the people that supported me throughout my high school career and in athletics to show their support for our movement. It gives me an idea of where we are at in our community.”

Hernandez grew up in Monroe and was a star athlete, particularly with the football team, which won the state title with an unbeaten season in 2022. He also took part in the peaceful, student-led silent lawn protest on the square in 2020 during the Black Lives Matter movement.

“We have each other’s backs, no matter what anybody tries to tell us. We are here for each other. We love this country just as much as anybody else, and that’s pretty much our message here today,” Hernandez said.

latino unidas
About 100 people of multiple cultures attended a united march around Monroe’s square Feb. 3. - photo by Adam Krebs

Villavicencio said she came to America in 2005 and has called Monroe her home since 2010.

“We are good people; we just came here to work for a better life for our families,” she said. “We are all one. We are a different culture, we are peaceful people, we have family here, we have our kids.”

A native of Ecuador, Villavicencio always had an internal sense she would be a leader in her community. Now, as an immigrant business owner, she is also living up to her manifestations as a leader within her community.

“I dreamed to be a leader all of my life and I dreamed to have a business somehow,” she said. “Now I have it. It’s amazing. I feel so blessed.”

While the local impact to the day off of work may not be known right away, larger protests — for immigration, women’s rights and economic class struggles — are expected to continue across the nation. On Feb. 5, organizers across the nation are preparing for a single day general strike, or for supporters to wear blue. The hope is to put a dent in the overstuffed wallets of corporate leaders, which hold more of the country’s wealth than at any time in American history. The four richest Americans hold more wealth than the bottom 50% combined.