BROADVIEW — The controversial fence blocking protesters from ICE’s Broadview facility came down this week after a judge ordered it be removed. But by Friday, the street outside the facility was blocked again — this time with vehicles and barricades from local and state police.
Fridays have seen regular protests outside the ICE facility, 1930 Beach St., since the Trump administration began immigration enforcement operations Midway Blitz and At Large in September. The protests had frequently seen federal agents tear-gassing, smoke-bombing and shooting rubber bullets at activists.
But more recently, it’s been Illinois state police who are harming protesters, activists have said.
About 8:15 a.m. Friday, state police told a crowd of about 100 protesters they could go into the street — but then attacked them with billy clubs and arrested several people, activists said.
“They literally ushered us into the street to protest and immediately after started beating the s— out of us,” said Rick, who a protester who asked not to share his last name.
In early October, the state police announced it would send officers to the area to coordinate with Broadview police and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to protect neighbors and businesses while ensuring people could use their First Amendment rights. The state and local police agencies set up barricades to keep protesters away from the ICE facility, and they’ve sent out regular emails about the people they’ve arrested near the facility.
Protesters have said the officers have attacked them and tried to stifle their attempts to speak and protest freely.
In a statement, Illinois State Police said “a number of individuals repeatedly blocked a street” outside the facility and “after providing repeated instructions and opportunities to move to the designated protest areas, 11 individuals were ultimately arrested.”
“Blocking the street and occupying areas outside of the designated zones presents a serious public safety hazard, hampers residents’ ability to navigate their own village, negatively impacts local businesses, makes it difficult for third parties (such as lawyers) to enter the facility to support detained individuals, and creates a dangerous situation where fast-moving vehicles are encountering people,” the statement reads. The statement did not address claims that protesters were led into the street by officers, and Block Club has reached out with further questions.
“You’re helping ICE!” demonstrators told state police officers during Friday’s protest.
“This is a new fence,” a protester yelled at Broadview Police Chief Thomas Mills as protesters were penned in behind the concrete barriers. Nearby, state troopers were putting up flimsy temporary fencing to block other areas.
About 10:15 a.m., state police arrested a protester dressed as Lady Liberty after she stepped over the concrete barrier and into Beach Street.
The protest was otherwise quieter than the violence that had been seen at earlier demonstrations in Broadview.
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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