Broadview, Illinois reduces ICE protest zone after ‘chaos,’ 15 arrests

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The village of Broadview, Illinois is reducing the area where protesters can stage near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.

Fifteen arrests were made Saturday, according to a statement from Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson.

“[T]oo many protesters are raising their fists rather than their voices, creating chaos at the expense of the people who call Broadview home,” Thompson said. “Broadview residents lack the protestors’ privilege to return to calm, quiet neighborhoods for undisturbed rest.”

Thompson said she signed a new executive order that permits protests only at the safety zone located at the ICE facility on Beech Street in the community of about 8,000 people.

“Additionally, it has been only God’s grace alone that a protester has not been struck and killed by a motorist on 25th Avenue given how frequently protesters dash onto this busy, four-lane street,” she said. “This new measure will provide for both the serenity of residents and safety of protestors.”

She issued an executive order last Monday limiting protests times from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This week, Thompson reiterated she supports the protesters “free and – peaceful – speech” against ICE activities.

“Nevertheless, my first priority is to defend public safety and the residents who live here and people who work here,” she said. “They deserve stability, safety, and respect, a quality of life that is currently being denied to them. They deserve the love and kindness that they expect by being Broadview residents.”

Illinois State Police are working with other state and local law enforcement officers to keep the peace with a unified command.

“Uniformed officers will be on site to help direct people to the designated areas,” ISP said earlier this month in announcing the unified command. “In addition to protecting the safety and rights of people peacefully expressing their views, these measures will also 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 – will maintain clear points of access to the facility.”