Federal Agents Use Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets at Broadview ICE Facility Protest

Federal agents deployed tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters at the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on Friday morning. Demonstrators have been gathering regularly outside the facility at 1930 Beach St. to oppose federal operations targeting undocumented individuals in the Chicago area.

Around 8 a.m., agents used tear gas canisters and fired rubber pellets and pepper spray balls at protesters near 25th Avenue and Harvard Street. Kurt Evans, a protester carrying an American flag, stated, "Someone's gotta stand in the front," as agents confronted the group.

Protests have occurred every Friday since the initiation of Operation Midway Blitz earlier this month. This week, organizers called for daily gatherings to shut down the facility. For the latest protest, organizers relocated due to a newly erected fence near the processing center. Broadview officials have deemed the fence illegal and demanded its removal, but it remained as of Friday morning.

Passing motorists honked in apparent support as demonstrators marched and chanted slogans. The National Lawyers Guild reported that ten protesters were detained and later released during last week's protest, which also involved the use of tear gas and pepper balls by federal agents. Additionally, on Wednesday, protesters alleged that an ICE agent struck a demonstrator with a car; Broadview police are investigating the incident.