BROADVIEW, Ill. — Federal agents fired pepper balls and tear gas at protesters near an immigration enforcement building in suburban Chicago on Friday, escalating tensions amid a recent surge in immigration enforcement.
The altercation lasted several hours, beginning when demonstrators attempted to blockade a vehicle approaching the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, leading agents to deploy chemical agents into the crowd, which included supporters standing far back from the fence.
Many protesters dispersed, struggling to breathe as they were caught in a barrage of chemical projectiles, while a local official described the scene as 'incredibly off guard' and 'fully unprovoked.' Bushra Amiwala, 27, a member of the Skokie Board of Education, recounted being hit with pepper bullets while tying supportive messages for detainees to the fence.
Earlier in the day, demonstrators gathered to chant slogans and display banners, with messages such as “No human is illegal.” Their actions coincided with the controversial practices of federal authorities, which have been criticized as aggressive and inhumane.
Despite prior protests where similar tactics were employed, many in the community are expressing outrage over the use of chemical agents and have called for the immediate removal of a security fence installed earlier this week due to safety concerns.
The protests come amidst reports of increased immigration enforcement activities, as federal officials insisted on a rigorous approach, branding those arrested during last week’s demonstrations as 'rioters.' The situation in Broadview continues to unfold as activists decry the escalating division between immigration policies and human rights.
