* Yesterday…
Cook County and state law enforcement agencies are using barricades to set up “designated protest areas” around a federal facility used to process detained immigrants in suburban Broadview to address public safety concerns.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement site, 1930 Beach Street, has become the center of recurring protests since President Donald Trump in early September launched “Operation Midway Blitz,” an aggressive deportation campaign in the Chicago area.
Barricades will be placed on each side of Beach Street, from Lexington Street to nearly the silver wire fence that the feds erected Sept. 23 across Beach Street, to keep protesters off the roadway and to allow vehicles to pass through.
* Today…
Tense moments, sometimes chaotic, erupted but failed to develop into anything more violent as scores of armed law enforcement officers stood by outside the Broadview ICE facility Friday as a handful of protesters were arrested.
Tear gas, pellets or other chemical substances have not been used as of midday though federal agents have previously used them against protesters after President Donald Trump in early September launched “Operation Midway Blitz,” an aggressive deportation campaign in the Chicago area. […]
“Are you proud of yourself?” One protester asked a state trooper. “No, I’m not,” the state trooper responded as he moved two shouting protesters off of the roadway.
* Unified Command (ISP, CCSO and Broadview PD) update on Broadview protest arrests…
There have been five arrests on Friday, Oct. 3, of individuals involved in protests in Broadview around the facility being used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As of 10:55 a.m.:
• Ezra Q. Imes, 27, Charged with Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, Arresting Agency: Broadview Police.
• Rafael L. Menon, 20, Charged with Resisting and Obstruction, Arresting Agency: Illinois State Police.
• Audrey J. Gladson, 32, Charged with Resisting and Obstruction, Arresting Agency: Illinois State Police.
• Eman T. Abdelhadi, 36, Charged with Battery to a Police Officer, Resisting and Obstruction, Arresting Agency: Illinois State Police.
• Tricia Black, Charged with Resisting and Obstruction, Arresting Agency: Illinois State Police.
* Some videos…
A riot team from ISP is here with helmets and batons.
Free speech protected.
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— unraveled (@unraveledpress.com) October 3, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Crowd chanting, "lick them boots! Lick them boots!" at ISP.
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— unraveled (@unraveledpress.com) October 3, 2025 at 8:04 AM
ISP have forced people out of the road (never heard a dispersal warning).
ISP have forced people out of the road (never heard a dispersal warning).
Some kind of ISP SWAT unit here now, too.
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— unraveled (@unraveledpress.com) October 3, 2025 at 7:33 AM
* From a pal: “That feeling when you’ve lost Nomadic Warriors for Pritzker”…
* Heh…
* From Gov. Pritzker…
Federal agents are acting with impunity at the direction of President Trump. In addition to their inhumane tactics on immigration enforcement, they have grossly mishandled and incited tensions at the Broadview facility. This includes firing chemical agents at protesters and media, arresting a reporter, slamming people to the ground, and wreaking havoc on Broadview residents and nearby businesses.
It was clear that federal agents were using violent tactics when confronting protestors, anonymously and with impunity. Their widespread use of chemical agents has impacted protesters, media, local law enforcement, nearby residents and people detained inside of the facility.
The members of the Unified Command are trained in crowd control and how to create an environment where people can peacefully express their First Amendment rights. They show their faces, they have proper identification, and they are accountable to the people of Illinois. It is clear federal agents cannot be trusted to act to protect the safety and constitutional rights of the public. The Unified Command will prioritize public safety above all else and take steps to safeguard the First Amendment rights of the public.”
BACKGROUND: About the Unified Command:
The Unified Command was established to ensure people could peacefully protest, protect residents and businesses in Broadview, and ensure that third parties that need access to the facility – including attorneys and legal representatives, people bringing medicine to detainees, and representatives from foreign consulates – can maintain clear points of access to the facility.
Thoughts?
…Adding… If the idea was to prevent clashes between ICE and others, it may be working in Broadview, but they appear to be a stubborn lot…
I realize it probably wasn't @govpritzker.illinois.gov's intent — but it appears that by providing state police to Broadview, it freed up more militarized ICE units to go tear gas people in neighborhoods.
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— Christopher Whitaker (@civicwhitaker.com) October 3, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Video is here.
…Adding… I’ve asked the governor’s office why these officers are masked, but have not heard back…
…Adding… The governor’s office responded…
Illinois State Police wear uniforms and badge numbers that are clear and identifiable. When state and local police departments coordinate with each other, they still adhere to their department’s protocols. We understand that some local law enforcement use face coverings when the federal government may disperse chemical agents.
