Political Hopeful Knocked Down, Protestors Met with Tear Gas at Immigration Facility
Friction flared up between protestors and federal officers outside an immigration and customs enforcement establishment. The incident involved an officer pushing a political candidate to the ground, the use of tear gas and pepper balls on the crowd, and several arrests. The tension revolved around the government's heightened deportation efforts.
Throughout the day, protestors gathered at the facility in waves, angered by the escalating federal actions in the region. The facility was heavily guarded, with officers in military uniforms protecting the entrance, and some positioned on the rooftop. A prominent government official overseeing recent anti-immigration actions was present at the detention center for around an hour, even stepping outside briefly, escorted by armed agents.
Activists and Candidates Join the Protest
Activists displayed their opposition in various ways. One protestor punctured the tire of a van believed to be transporting a detainee. As more vans, presumably carrying detainees, arrived in the evening, the crowd vocalized their objection. Among the protestors was Kat Abughazaleh, a Democratic primary candidate for a congressional seat, who was filmed being pushed to the ground by an agent clad in camouflage.
Abughazaleh shared that she had been knocked to the ground twice by agents. One of the incidents involved being lifted by the chest and tossed onto the asphalt while she was aiding another protestor. Although she wasn't surprised by the treatment, Abughazaleh expressed her anger and the need to shut down the facility.
The Use of Tear Gas and Pepper Balls
Agents deployed tear gas and pepper balls throughout the protest, affecting many protestors, including Abughazaleh and other political hopefuls and officials. During the morning protest, two individuals were arrested, and four more were detained later after they clashed with the officers. Protestors reported not having seen the arrested individuals since they were taken into the facility.
When questioned about Abughazaleh, the use of non-lethal chemical agents, and the status of the detained protestors, the immigration enforcement agency did not provide immediate responses. However, a social media post from the Department of Homeland Security suggested that those obstructing the operations were siding with "violent criminals" and declared that enforcement of immigration laws would continue.
Protests Continue into the Night
Close to two hours after several protestors were arrested, traces of tear gas remained in the air, making it difficult to breathe. A state senator tried to address federal officers stationed atop the facility, requesting the release of her two constituents and all other detained individuals. Despite her pleas for a one-on-one conversation, the officers did not respond.
Protestors Share Their Personal Stories
Among the protestors were two sisters who had been visiting the facility daily in hopes of seeing their detained father. They expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by other protestors against the unfair treatment of immigrants. The protest also drew other Democratic contenders for the 9th congressional District who condemned the response of the enforcement agency as an effort to "intimidate and dominate".
One of the candidates recounted how the scene quickly became chaotic, and fear took over when he struggled to breathe after being targeted with a chemical agent. The mayor of Broadview criticized the candidate's presence at the protest, arguing that it was escalating an already tense situation and could jeopardize the safety of the protestors, police officers, and the surrounding community.
Standing Up for Democracy
Despite the criticism, the protestors remained undeterred, vowing to continue their fight. They expressed their concern about the treatment of people inside the facility, if those exercising their freedom of speech were treated so harshly. The protestors believed they were on the right side of history, and the number of protestors would grow, as they stood against the federal government's actions of dehumanizing its own people and their neighbors.
