Cops injured, faith leaders among 21 arrested after scuffles erupt during Broadview ICE facility protest - Chicago Sun-Times
By: Mohammad Samra (Chicago Sun-Times)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Several people were arrested during a protest Friday that included faith leaders at the Broadview ICE facility at 1930 Beach St.
What started as a peaceful protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in Broadview erupted into scuffles, shoving and multiple arrests Friday morning. Four police officers were hurt and 21 demonstrators, including faith leaders, were arrested during the demonstration demanding an end to immigration "abductions" in the Chicago area.
The 21 arrests, made by Illinois State Police troopers and Cook County sheriff's police, happened about 10 a.m., an hour after the protest, which drew over 100 demonstrators, started outside the facility at 1930 Beach St.
A statement from the Cook County sheriff's office said more information will be released about 4 p.m.
"We are working to verify the identities of these individuals and their charges, and we will provide that information in the next update," according to a statement from the sheriff's office.
Officers from the Cook County sheriff's police, state police and Broadview police were on hand during the event. During the fray, several demonstrators could be heard yelling and chanting as a Broadview police officer pulled out a taser and shot it in the air as an apparent warning.
Several people were arrested during a protest that included faith leaders at the Broadview ICE facility at 1930 Beach St.
Oak Park resident Sue Humphreys was trying to call for de-escalation as protesters spilled into the streets and the shoving began.
"It's clearly against the United States Constitution, clearly against the rights of the people," Humphreys, 66, said. "It's wild and it needs to be stopped."
According to Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson, four police officers were hurt. Information on their condition and how they were injured was not given.
"The violence by out-of-town protesters that has led to two Village of Broadview police officers, one Illinois State police officer, and a Cook County Sheriff's deputy being injured this morning, with the two Broadview officers and the sheriff's deputy being transported to Loyola hospital, is unacceptable and outrageous," Thompson said in a statement.
"I have repeatedly pleaded to protesters to raise their voices, not their fists. They have chosen their fists," Thompson said in the statement. "These out-of-towners have chosen to brutalize police officers who have been protecting their free speech and protecting them against assaults by ICE agents. We will see them in court," Thompson said in the statement.
Illinois State Police confirmed that one state police officer "sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene."
Federal agents were not on the scene, and no tear gas, pepper balls or chemical agents were deployed.
Officers, many holding batons and zip ties, could be heard repeating: "Stand back! Stand back! Stand back or you're gonna go."
"We'll welcome you back when you decide to do the right thing," one protester said as state troopers held the crowd back.
Several people were arrested during a protest that included faith leaders at the Broadview ICE facility, 1930 Beach St.
Broadview police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Mike G., 36, said he was proud of those detained outside the facility Friday morning for "creating incredible optics of peaceful people getting arrested by the state for protesting human atrocity."
"I think it is a sign that this is a place for everyone," Mike, who didn't want to give his last name for privacy reasons, said. "You don't need to find the right organization or right reason to be here."
Several people were arrested during a protest that included faith leaders at the Broadview ICE facility, 1930 Beach St.
The Broadview facility has become a hotbed for ongoing and at times tense demonstrations since President Donald Trump's administration aggressively ramped up his deportation campaign in the Chicago area under the name "Operation Midway Blitz" in September.
Last month, state and local officials set up a "unified command" for Cook County, state and Broadview police officers to jointly address public safety issues at the facility, along with designating "free speech" zones for demonstrators.
Curfew hours were set at the facility after demonstrations beginning sometimes as early as 5 a.m. stretched late into the night, and crowds clashed with federal authorities. Free speech advocates have criticized the curfews as too restrictive.
At least 21 people were arrested and several officers were injured during a protest that included faith leaders at the Broadview ICE facility, 1930 Beach St.
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I hope they give the names and addresses of these out of towners. Of course just about everyone is an out of towner in Broadview - it only has a few thousand residents.
I was just thinking, after more recently seeing so many protests on TV and reported in the news and even here on NT, that I never saw a protest with my own eyes and even took note of them in my younger life. Anyway, it's a rare kind of event where I am now, and besides, I'm a Canadian....
A Canadian Protester