A Chicago pop-up peace choir sparked heated reactions after performing outside the Broadview Processing Center in Illinois, where members sang a song calling for freedom for people being held inside the ICE detention facility. While supporters described the performance as a peaceful show of compassion, many critics dismissed it as a misguided protest against immigration enforcement.
In the Illinois clip, several members of the choir stood outside the facility wearing loose white choir-style robes while singing in unison. Some held lyric sheets or clipboards, while one member appeared to accompany the choir’s singing with a frame drum.
They sang, “I’ll sing from here and you sing from there. Together we’ll sing down the walls everywhere. With love in our hearts rising up like the sea. Together we’ll sing until everyone’s free.” According to organizer @adriennegailmusic, the choir was created to advocate for immigrants and encourage compassion and due process. She later said growing up around immigrant families in the Chicago area inspired her to organize the performance.
The Choir’s Performance Sparked Divided Reactions Online
One commenter referenced the Biblical story of the walls of Jericho, writing, “Tell em to start to marching circles around the building and I’ll bring the goats horn.” Another made a similar comparison, saying, “Doesn’t work without the ram’s horns and walking around the facility seven times.”
Not everyone agreed with the criticism, however. Some viewers said they appreciated that the demonstration remained peaceful even if they disagreed with its message. “At least they’re being peaceful, although misguided,” one comment read. Another added, “Peaceful protest though! Better then what has been going on!”
Although it is unclear whether the lyric was intended literally, many commenters interpreted it as a reference to bringing down the facility’s walls and responded with jokes comparing it to the Biblical story of Jericho.
Even South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace appeared to poke fun at the lyric, chiming in with, “Surely this will work.”
Others were far more critical of the choir’s demonstration. “Are we really like that? Mental illness is everywhere in the US,” one critic said. Someone else commented, “Please put a stop to this nonsense. These people are deranged.” A third remarked, “All juvenile performative antics…these people need to grow up and join the adults.”
Someone even defended the group’s right to demonstrate, writing, “Disagreeing with a protest is one thing, but calling people mentally ill for having different political convictions lowers the bar for everyone. We can debate immigration policy without attacking the humanity of people on the other side.”
In a separate Instagram post, organizer @adriennegailmusic said she created the choir because growing up around immigrant families gave her an appreciation for different cultures. She said she believes immigrants deserve compassion and due process and hopes the performances encourage empathy, even as the group’s latest demonstration continues fueling debate online.
