BROADVIEW, Ill. (AP) — Federal agents detained multiple people Friday near an immigration facility outside Chicago that has frequently been targeted by protesters during President Donald Trump’s administration’s surge of immigration enforcement this fall.
A crowd grew over several hours, some riled by newly installed barricades to separate them from law enforcement officers stationed outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in Broadview, about 12 miles west of Chicago.
Some protesters aimed to block vehicles from entering or exiting the area over the past few weeks, part of a growing pushback against increased immigration enforcement that began in early September. Federal agents have repeatedly used tear gas, pepper balls, and other projectiles against the crowds, resulting in at least five people facing federal charges following arrests in those clashes.
Local law enforcement increased their presence on Friday, closing several streets around the facility and deploying Illinois State Police officers in riot gear. Concrete barriers were set up to separate protesters and define demonstration areas.
It was unclear how many people were detained Friday. One man was seen struggling on the ground with agents after breaking through a line in front of a vehicle.
Mostly reporters and a handful of protesters remained within the designated protest zone as helicopters hovered overhead.
“Every week, ICE escalates its violence against us,” stated Demi Palecek, a military veteran and congressional candidate. “With this level of escalation, it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed.”
Many demonstrators expressed frustration about being confined to the designated protest zone, which they argued violated their First Amendment rights. They were angered by the presence of local and state officers standing alongside federal agents.
Jonny Bishop, a 28-year-old former teacher, described attempts to designate a “free speech zone” as an infringement on protesters’ rights. “We’ve done these things peacefully...But our rights are being violated,” he asserted.
At one point, state police joined Border Patrol forces in advancing on protesters, as tensions escalated further.
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Associated Press journalists Erin Hooley and Laura Bargfeld contributed to this report.
