On November 14th, 2025, the Southwest Organizing Project’s (SWOP) Community Violence Intervention team, Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P), joined forces with Alderwoman Jeylu B. Gutierrez’s office to host a Mass Canvassing Light in the Night in the Gage Park neighborhood. The action was sparked by a heightened presence of ICE and recent arrests that left families anxious and unsure of how to stay safe. Wanting to respond with support, information, and a strong sense of solidarity, CP4P and SWOP organizers mobilized to ensure their neighbors were not facing these threats alone.
The event brought out organizers, outreach workers, and volunteers who split into teams to cover multiple blocks, schools, and high-traffic areas across Gage Park. Their goal was to make sure community members knew their rights, understood what to do if confronted by ICE, and had access to resources that could keep their families protected. Teams shared “Know Your Rights” information, posted supportive yard signs for residents and businesses, and assisted families during school dismissal times, providing both reassurance and visibility.
For Armando Mancilla, Director of Case Management for CP4P, the inspiration for the event came from witnessing how fast-moving and frightening the situation had become for local families. “We knew we wanted to do something with everything going on with ICE in the community,” he said. “And there are so many rapid response teams from different organizations trying to do their best to get information out, so we thought, why not work together to try to tackle everything together. If we stand in solidarity and hit spots throughout the community, we can inform a lot of people as quickly as we can.”
Because the need for ongoing visibility and support remains urgent, these Light in the Night canvasses will now take place monthly. CP4P and SWOP are encouraging residents, partners, and anyone committed to standing with immigrant families to join them in future canvassing efforts, reinforcing the message that the community is strongest when it moves as one.
