Arrests made as protests start early at Chicago-area ICE facility
Oct. 17 (UPI) — At least 11 protesters were arrested amid clashes with local police outside the Broadview, Ill., Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Friday morning.
Protesters arrived earlier than normal on Friday at the Chicago-area ICE facility and clashed with local law enforcement when the protesters blocked a local street and refused to go to a designated protest zone, WLS-TV reported.
“We are all Latino,” a protester told WLS-TV. “We all got to be united. What they are doing is not fair.”
The protester said ICE should focus its efforts on criminals and “leave the good people that are working” so that they can continue to work and improve their lives.
A report by WGN-TV said “things appeared to get out of hand rather quickly” when the protesters arrived during the morning hours.
The protest began near 8 a.m. CDT, which is an hour earlier than allowed by local regulations, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Those regulations allow protests from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and within a designated protest area.
The protest was the first since a protective fence around the ICE building was removed on Tuesday, as ordered by a federal judge.
Although the fencing is gone, the protesters are required to stay off the street and within an area lined by concrete barriers.
Those who did not clash with Illinois State Police officers, resulting in 11 being arrested for blocking the street and refusing to move to the designated protest area, local authorities told WLS-TV.
Protester Akeisha Lee was charged with disobeying a police officer or arresting and obstructing, and several others were being processed for violations during the morning hours, the Sun-Times reported.
Among those being processed following her arrest was United Church of Rogers Park Pastor Hannah Kardon.
While the protesters are restricted in their activities, federal law enforcement also is restricted in how it can operate in northern Illinois.
U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois Judge Sara Ellis earlier restricted when and where federal law enforcement officers and agents can use tear gas and on Thursday expressed concern that her restrictions were not being followed.
Ellis also amended a restraining order on federal law enforcement to require those equipped with body cameras to wear them and keep them on during enforcement operations.