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 immigration “abductions” in the Chicago area.
The 21 arrests, made by Illinois State Police troopers and Cook County sheriff’s police, began about an hour after the protest began 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.
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.
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.
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.”
Broadview 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.
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.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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