On January 10, 2026, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in downtown Chico, California, to protest against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The rally was organized by Indivisible Chico, part of a nationwide mobilization initiated by the larger Indivisible organization following the fatal shooting of Renee Nichole Goode by an ICE agent in Minnesota on January 7.
Cody Borders, an organizer with Indivisible Chico, explained that the protest was organized on short notice. “The national organization decided to call a national day of action,” he said. “They asked local groups across the country to put something together, and that was only on Thursday.” The rapid response resulted in a turnout that Borders described as “probably five or six times bigger than expected.”
The protest began at the Children’s Park and extended down The Esplanade, culminating near Bidwell Mansion. Participants included various organizations, such as NorCal Resist, the Chico Peace Alliance, and Food Not Bombs. This local nonprofit provided free meals to attendees, reinforcing the spirit of community support that characterized the event.
Cece Canady, a student majoring in food and nutrition sciences at Chico State, expressed the importance of participation. “We just saw that there was a protest, which means there’s a need, and we wanted to support in the best way we could,” Canady stated. The group prepared meals including creamy kale and potato soup, salad, and fruit bowls for those attending.
As the crowd grew, many participants emphasized their sense of duty to protest. Julie Hendrickson, another demonstrator, articulated this sentiment: “Renee Nichole Goode was murdered, unreasonably and unconstitutionally. This is the least I can do to support her and her family.” Hendrickson took to the megaphone, ensuring that everyone’s voices were heard throughout the gathering.
Music played a pivotal role in the atmosphere of the protest. Lyndell Ellingson contributed by playing her guitar, stating that music serves as a unifying force during times of anger. “It creates a sort of center of space that we can all work towards and be together in,” she explained. Ellingson’s sentiments about music fostering positivity resonated with many participants, who joined in singing and chanting.
Janice Kalman, another attendee, remarked on the significance of the rally, noting it was one of the largest she had witnessed. She highlighted the urgency of collective action during what she described as a troubling political climate. “As this era of Trump’s fascism and corruption has evolved, many of us are asking, ‘When is the point?’” Kalman said. “It’s time to put your body on the line to save our constitutional democracy.”
The protest in Chico was not just a local event but part of a larger movement across the United States, reflecting deep-seated frustrations with immigration policies and the actions of ICE. Demonstrators expressed their commitment to advocating for change, ensuring that the voices of those affected by these policies continue to resonate. As the event concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and solidarity, ready to continue the fight for justice and reform.
