The local activist group We Can Lead Change – Fox Valley held a rally in downtown St. Charles on Saturday aimed at celebrating immigrants and their contributions to the area.
The event, which drew over 150 participants, began at 11 a.m. on Main Street near the St. Charles Municipal Building.
Following the rally, organizers from the group encouraged those in attendance to remain in the downtown area and visit local restaurants that were either owned or staffed by immigrants.
The local We Can Lead Change group has been active for months mobilizing over issues including immigration as well as against many of the policies of the current U.S. administration.
Miki Powell, a member of the We Can Lead Change group, said events like the one Saturday are important.
“We really want to support our immigrants in this community and so We Can Lead Change is going to do everything it can to support our immigrants in St. Charles, whether that means food drives or supporting the restaurants that support the immigrant employees, delivering food, whatever we can do,” Powell said.
Powell said the idea to support local restaurants with an immigrant connection was a way to show further support.
“We have walked our businesses in this area with ‘Know Your Rights’ cards and have been walking up and down in St. Charles handing out cards and we know which businesses are favorable,” Powell said.
Participants arrived well before the 11 a.m. start time for the event.
Participants line Main Street in downtown St. Charles on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, during a rally to honor immigrants and their contributions to the Fox Valley. (David Sharos/For The Beacon-News)
Linda Robertson of St. Charles has been at virtually every rally offered by the group and “wanted to be here as immigrants are important. We’re all descendent of immigrants.
“My family – the first one here – she was a maid who came from France in 1844 and ended up owning a hotel,” Robertson said. “They are the backbone – some of the hardest workers. I’ve worked all over the world and I find that creativity happens when cultures mix and that’s so important.”
Robertson added that as a scientist, “if you look at most of those who hold patents either worked internationally or are immigrants.”
“They see different ways of doing things,” Robertson said at the rally. “I hope that today, more awareness is the takeaway.”
Heidi DeMarco of Geneva came out to support the local immigrant community.
“I came because I wanted to raise awareness and we need to show support for our immigrant community,” DeMarco said. “There are a lot of people who are actually hiding in their homes right now and are afraid to come out for food. We are trying to figure out how to get them fed and get their kids coats so they can go to school. They don’t feel supported and we want to make sure that they know that we want them here.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.