BROADVIEW, Ill. (AP) — Federal agents fired pepper balls and tear gas at protesters near an immigration enforcement building in suburban Chicago on Friday. The conflict over several hours is the latest pushback by federal authorities against protesters focused on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Broadview, about 12 miles west of Chicago, amid a surge of immigration enforcement that began earlier this month.
Agents repeatedly fired chemical agents toward protesters after some of the group attempted to block a car from driving toward the ICE building. Many in the crowd fell to the ground and dispersed as agents aimed projectiles at them.
Earlier in the day, protesters yelled and rang bells at a section of the fence surrounding the building, some tying handwritten messages of solidarity for detainees, like “No human is illegal.” Protesters and federal agents engaged in a heated exchange as agents removed signs and flags from the fence.
Bushra Amiwala, a 27-year-old Skokie Board of Education member, reported being shot by pepper balls while attempting to express her support, describing the response as “fully unprovoked.” Villa officials have called for the removal of a recently erected fence due to safety concerns from local fire authorities. It remains uncertain how many were arrested during the altercation with authorities labeling some as “rioters” in previous protests at the site.
Agents repeatedly fired chemical agents toward protesters after some of the group attempted to block a car from driving toward the ICE building. Many in the crowd fell to the ground and dispersed as agents aimed projectiles at them.
Earlier in the day, protesters yelled and rang bells at a section of the fence surrounding the building, some tying handwritten messages of solidarity for detainees, like “No human is illegal.” Protesters and federal agents engaged in a heated exchange as agents removed signs and flags from the fence.
Bushra Amiwala, a 27-year-old Skokie Board of Education member, reported being shot by pepper balls while attempting to express her support, describing the response as “fully unprovoked.” Villa officials have called for the removal of a recently erected fence due to safety concerns from local fire authorities. It remains uncertain how many were arrested during the altercation with authorities labeling some as “rioters” in previous protests at the site.
