On January 10, 2026, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in downtown Chico, California, to protest against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The event was organized by Indivisible Chico, a local activist group affiliated with the larger Indivisible movement. The protest was prompted by the recent death of Renee Nichole Goode, who was killed by an ICE agent in Minnesota on January 7.
The call for a national day of action came from the Indivisible organization, which mobilized grassroots movements across the country. According to Cody Borders, one of the event’s organizers, the group received the request on Thursday, just days before the protest. “We were asked to come together and bring people out,” Borders said. He expressed surprise at the turnout, noting that it exceeded expectations, with the crowd being “probably five or six times bigger than was expected.”
The protest commenced at Children’s Park and extended down The Esplanade, culminating near Bidwell Mansion. Participants held signs expressing their opposition to ICE, while others distributed food in solidarity. Food Not Bombs, a local nonprofit, provided free meals to attendees. Cece Canady, a Chico State food and nutrition sciences major, stated that their group aimed to support the community by offering meals, including a creamy kale and potato soup.
Many participants felt a moral obligation to join the protest. Julie Hendrickson, a demonstrator, emphasized the importance of supporting Goode’s family and expressed her commitment to defending democratic values. Hendrickson walked through the crowd with a megaphone, amplifying the messages of fellow protesters, stating, “Everyone needs to be heard.”
Musical performances also played a key role in the gathering. Lyndell Ellingson, who brought a guitar, noted that music fosters unity and positivity, even in a protest setting filled with anger. She remarked, “It creates a sort of center of space that we can all work towards and be together in.”
The protest attracted various organizations, including NorCal Resist and the Chico Peace Alliance. Participants voiced concerns about the current political climate, with some expressing their discontent over perceived threats to democracy. Janice Kalman, a longtime activist, articulated the urgency felt by many: “When is the point to stop daily living and put your body on the line to save our constitutional democracy?”
As the rally came to a close, the collective voices of those gathered resonated through the streets of Chico, underscoring a significant moment of community activism against ICE and the broader issues surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States.
