MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Community groups joined together Wednesday night, Feb. 18, to share information about protesting and civil rights.

It comes as fears of a widespread ICE operation in Milwaukee are lessening after months of growing concern and preparation.

But many are still using this time to prepare.

Local leaders say there is currently no information that ICE will come to Milwaukee to conduct targeted immigration operations.

But the mere thought of it, plus the violence in Minneapolis, has many people wanting to make sure they know their rights.

Milwaukee County Supervisor Shawn Rolland hosted the meeting. He told the audience, "This is not a partisan topic. It is a patriotic topic."

Milwaukeeans gathered at the Washington Park Senior Center to learn what to do if faced with similar situations.

Emilio de Torre, with the Milwaukee Turners, said, "The most important thing any of you can do, and I'm sure the folks up here will agree, is you need to remain calm."

Attorneys talked about how to protect phones and data, what kind of warrants to look for, and what protesters can say to federal agents.

Amanda Merkwae with ACLU of Wisconsin said, "If you are under arrest, you have the right to ask why, and then you always have the right to remain silent."

Both Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball and Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman were there for a pre-screened question and answer session.

Most questions were about what local agents are allowed to do to police federal agents, and what the local communication is like.

Sheriff Ball said, "When I've talked to my colleagues across the country, they were not notified. They just showed up."

Both law enforcement heads acknowledged the uncertainty of the moment.

Norman said while protests are nothing new, some of the behavior of the agents is new. "From the highest level of chiefs, a lot of this is perplexing to us. This is something that we just never have seen before in regards to behaviors."

County supervisors and grassroots groups pledged support should ice ever arrive in force.

And they had resources available for anyone wanting to prepare.

Milwaukee County Supervisor Caroline Gómez-Tom said, "We keep each other safe. We need to know what resources are available, and we have to do this together."

Chief Norman said he has no information of an impending surge of ICE agents to Milwaukee.