This is a developing story that is being updated live.

EAST CHICAGO — A crowd of about 50 people is lined up outside East Chicago City hall holding signs protesting recent local activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents earlier this week.

Megaphone chants

1:15 p.m. Sonia Martinez, 43, from Calumet City, is chanting into a megaphone, “Stop terrorizing our communities.” She is saying to the crowd they should know their rights when it comes to interacting with federal agents. “This is my community,” she told Times reporter Michael Howie.

Protest begins

1 p.m. East Chicago officials ahead of the protest, which began at 1 p.m. Saturday outside of the local government building, 4525 Indianapolis Blvd., urged for a peaceful demonstration.

East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copela

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