BROADVIEW, Ill. (WGN) — Demonstrators gathered Saturday outside the ICE processing center in Broadview, voicing their opposition to a new immigration enforcement effort the Trump administration has named “Operation Midway Blitz.”
The rally, organized by Revcom Corps for the Emancipation of Humanity Chicago and the Revolutionary Black Panther Party, included a press conference where members pledged to continue their fight against federal immigration operations in Chicagoland.
Protesters arrived with signs denouncing immigration enforcement and vowed to keep showing up at the facility, rain or shine.
“Today we gather in solidarity. We want everybody that is listening and that will listen to understanding this is all of our fight. It’s not one group against the other group. They’re coming for us all,” one protester told the crowd.
On Friday, Katrina Thompson, the Mayor of the Village of Broadview, sent a letter to ICE calling for them to stop what she calls war in her village.
She says the pepper spray and tear gas is impacting surrounding homes and businesses, and that the agency has illegally constructed a gate in front of the facility preventing the local fire department from accessing the area in an emergency.
Some demonstrators have been arriving in waves throughout the week, while others have set up camp outside the facility, saying they have no plans to leave.
Several protests have taken place at the facility in recent weeks, including a tense confrontation on Friday when ICE agents deployed pepper balls and tear gas against demonstrators. A similar scene played out just last week.
In the weeks since the operation began, dozens of arrests have been made.
But the operation has been met with significant pushback from state and local leaders as well as community members, including those who make up “rapid response teams,” who have been making their presence known on the streets of Chicagoland.
ICE activity has been reported in Wheaton and Elgin recently and agents also appeared to target roofers in Naperville, leaving workers and residents shaken.
On Thursday, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol boats were spotted on the Chicago River.
Organizers have scheduled another rally outside of the Broadview facility for 6 p.m. Saturday.
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