Introduction to the Protest
Fifteen people were arrested at a protest Saturday outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in west suburban Broadview.
Arrests and Charges
Eleven of those arrested have been charged with misdemeanor resisting and were all detained by Illinois State Police, according to a statement by the Cook County sheriff’s office. Three others were also arrested by ISP and are charged with disobeying a police officer, while the other person was arrested by Broadview police and charged with disorderly conduct.
Reasons for Arrests
Most of the arrests came after law enforcement officers gave final dispersal warnings after a 6 p.m. protest curfew had passed. Four people had already been arrested as of 4 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.
Protest Hours and Safety Concerns
Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson issued the daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. protest hours through an executive order this month citing public safety concerns for surrounding neighbors and businesses.
Previous Protests and Clashes
Previous protests had devolved into clashes with ICE agents who shot protesters with rubber and pepper projectiles and tear gas. The use of chemical irritants has since ended outside the Broadview facility when state troopers and local law enforcement assumed crowd control duties at the village of Broadview’s request.
Nationwide Protests and Local Arrests
Saturday’s arrests came hours after tens of thousands of people marched through downtown Chicago as part of a nationwide “No Kings” rally against the Trump administration. The arrests also came a day after 11 protesters were arrested during a morning demonstration at the Broadview ICE facility.
Ongoing Protests at the Broadview ICE Facility
The suburban processing center has been the scene of recurring protests since the Trump administration aggressively increased its deportation campaign, dubbed Operation Midway Blitz, across the Chicago area in early September.
Conclusion
The arrests at the Broadview ICE facility highlight the ongoing tensions and clashes between protesters and law enforcement. The facility has been a focal point for protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies, and it is likely that demonstrations will continue in the area.
FAQs
Q: How many people were arrested at the protest?
A: Fifteen people were arrested at the protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in west suburban Broadview.
Q: What were the charges against the arrested protesters?
A: Eleven were charged with misdemeanor resisting, three with disobeying a police officer, and one with disorderly conduct.
Q: Why were protest hours limited in Broadview?
A: Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson limited protest hours to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. due to public safety concerns for surrounding neighbors and businesses.
Q: Have there been previous clashes between protesters and law enforcement at the facility?
A: Yes, previous protests had devolved into clashes with ICE agents using chemical irritants, but this has since stopped with state troopers and local law enforcement taking over crowd control duties.
