Broadview, IL – A congressional candidate was among protesters clashing with federal agents Friday outside โanโ Immigration and Customs Enforcementโ (ICE) facilityโ near Chicago, โฃresulting in the use of tear gas โand allegations ofโ excessive โforce. The exhibition stemmed from ongoing โขtensions surroundingโ increased ICE activity in the area and a recent fatal shooting involving an immigration officer.
Candidate Kina Abughazaleh told the โAssociated Press sheโค was thrown to the ground and exposed to tear gas โwhile standing with others blocking a driveway to prevent โขvehicles from entering the โfacility. Abughazaleh stated officers โคdragged away a โขfellow protester before โdeploying tear gas โand pepper balls,causing burning sensations in her โeyes and throat.”Protesters were completely peaceful,” she saeid. “we had no weapons, just signs and songs.โค Weโฃ were afraid and angry.”
ICE โฃofficials countered that protesters were “rioters” who assaulted law enforcement, slashed car tires, and obstructed the facility’s entrance. Video โขfootage from the evening showed protesters retreating as white smokeโฃ filled the air and officers in โฃgas masks emerged fromโ a โgate.
The confrontation occurred amid heightened scrutiny of โขICE operations in โขtheโ Chicago area, fueled byโข activists and local leaders seekingโข to deter agents and raiseโข awareness following the death of Silverio Villegasโฃ gonzalez last week.โ Authorities stated agents were pursuing Gonzalez, who had a history of reckless driving and had entered the country illegally, when โhe allegedlyโ evaded โฃarrest and dragged an โขofficer with hisโ vehicle. Theโค officer fired, claiming to fear for his life.
Local policeโค reportedly declined multiple requests for assistance โฃfromโ federalโ law enforcement during the protest. The Broadview Police Department has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Illinois lt. Gov.Juliana Stratton criticized the actionsโ as part of aโข broader strategy to intimidate communities. “They โwant us to be afraid,” Stratton said, referencing the Trump administration.”They want usโ to just kind of go into ourโข little corners and not do anything. … we’re not going to let that happen.”