BROADVIEW, Ill. (RTW News) — Tensions flared outside a federal immigration enforcement building in Broadview, Illinois, on Friday as protesters attempted to block vehicles, leading to confrontations with authorities who deployed chemical agents to disperse the crowds.
Dozens of demonstrators carrying American flags and signs that read “Hands off Chicago” gathered in front of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, located approximately 12 miles west of Chicago.
Video footage showed chemical agents being released into the air, resulting in the dispersal of protestors and allowing vehicles to come and go. Some individuals were reportedly taken into custody during the scuffles.
Andre Vasquez, a member of the Chicago City Council, characterized the situation as a mix of tear gas and pepper spray being used against the demonstrators.
This clash follows ICE’s recent initiation of a comprehensive operation targeting immigrant and Latino neighborhoods across Chicago and its suburbs, a move that has been condemned by local activists.
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, present at the protest, highlighted the intention of the administration to invoke fear among communities. “They want us to be afraid,” she commented, emphasizing the resilience of the local community against government intimidation.
The protest specifically objected to actions taken by ICE in immigrant-populated areas, as the Broadview facility serves as a temporary holding location for individuals before they are detained or deported. The facility’s windows were boarded up, signifying the heightened tensions surrounding its operation.
Activists, including local leaders, have made commitments to resist such government crackdowns, particularly after a recent case involving a fatal shooting of a man by an immigration officer. Authorities stated that the incident involved an individual with a history of reckless driving and an illegal immigration status.
As these protests unfold, advocates continue to rally around immigrant rights, reiterating their stance against the current administration’s policies.
