Anti-ICE Nativity scene at Lake Street Church in Evanston, Illinois vandalized; display add zip ties, gas masks
EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) — The Nativity scene staged by an Evanston church was meant to be provocative.
It retells the ancient story of the holy family in a contemporary context, referencing federal immigration enforcement. But vandals targeted the figures.
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On the front lawn of Lake Street Church in Evanston, there is a lone baby Jesus in the manger and looming figures of masked Roman centurions dressed as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol agents.
Vandals smashed and decapitated the statue of Mary, who, along with Joseph, was staged wearing gas masks.
“We knew that people might find the images upsetting. It is upsetting. It’s upsetting because it’s happening. It’s upsetting to see what’s happening represented, even with dolls and mannequins, the things that are happening,” said Lake Street Church Associate Minister Jill Westerfield.
Westerfield says the church has a long history of activism. It has been outspoken against federal immigration enforcement. And Westerfield says plans for the Nativity scene started taking shape in October.
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“We were really thinking about what we have seen in our community. I live in Belmont Cragin in Chicago, and so even before ICE came to Evanston, I was seeing it in my own community,” Westerfield said.
Last week, vandals nearly flattened the whole display. The church added a new sign, saying Mary was beaten and dragged away in front of her son.
Vandals removed zip ties from baby Jesus’ hands, a reference to the raid on a South Shore apartment building where some people have said children were brought outside with their hands in zip ties. The government denies that claim.
“We have so many people who have been really supportive, people who are driving by the church and slowing down to say, ‘Hey, we really love it. Thank you for doing this.’ And one or two people who have wanted to physically remove something or destroy the art,” Westerfield said.
Westerfield says while it may be jarring, the scene serves a greater purpose.
The Nativity scene will remain like this until Christmas Eve, when, Westerfield says, there may be some changes made to the display that she hopes will be the delight of the community.
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