Four police officers were hurt, scuffles broke out and 21 demonstrators, including faith leaders, were arrested Friday outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in Broadview during a protest demanding an end to what protesters called immigration “abductions” in the Chicago area.
The 21 arrests, made by Illinois State troopers and Cook County sheriff’s police, began about an hour after the protest outside the facility at 1930 Beach St. began.
A statement from the Cook County sheriff’s office said more information will be released at 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 the statement from the sheriff’s office.
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, as the crowd and officers began pushing and shoving.
Several people were arrested during a protest that included faith leaders at the Broadview ICE facility, 1930 Beach St.
According to Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson, four police officers were hurt. Their conditions and how they were injured were 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.
Federal agents were not on the scene and no tear gas, pepper balls or chemical agents have been deployed.
Officers, many holding batons and zip ties, could 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.
Oak Park resident Sue Humphreys was trying to call for deescalation 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.”
A Cook County Sheriff’s Office representative told the Sun-Times, “We are working on confirming the names and charges.” Illinois State Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The demonstration began peacefully about 9 a.m. as several protesters began chanting and singing during the event called “God Demands Freedom – Faith Leaders say No More Abductions.”
Officers from the Cook County sheriff’s police, state police and Broadview police were on hand during the event.
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 CCSO, ISP and Broadview police officers to jointly address public safety issues at the facility, along with designating “free speech” zones for demonstrators.
Curfew hours were also put in place at the facility after demonstrations beginning sometimes as early as 5 a.m. and lasted into the late night hours and crowds clashed with federal authorities. Free speech advocates have criticized the curfews as too restrictive.
Several people were arrested during a protest that included faith leaders at the Broadview ICE facility, 1930 Beach St.
Several people were arrested during a protest that included faith leaders at the Broadview ICE facility, 1930 Beach St.
At least 21 people were arrested during a protest that included faith leaders at the Broadview ICE facility, 1930 Beach St.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
