Protesters, ICE agents clash outside Broadview, Illinois processing facility during 12-hour demonstration
Demonstrators and ICE agents have clashed during a 12-hour protest outside the Broadview U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility Friday.
The protest began at 7 a.m., and is scheduled to last until 7 p.m.
Protesters and agents clashed intermittently throughout the day. While agents have mostly stayed on facility property, at times groups of heavily armed officers have emerged from the entrance gates to push protesters back and allow vans carrying detainees in.
During those moments, protesters and agents have clashed. CBS News Chicago saw agents fire a couple of pepper balls into the protesters as well.
Uniformed officers have also been on the roof of the building, armed with long guns.
The demonstrators said the immigrant community is being unfairly targeted. They have chalked the street outside the facility with messages including "America was built by immigrants" and "Love thy neighbor."
"It is my duty to use my privilege to try to protect those who are most vulnerable," said Francis, a protester who did not want to share their last name. "And I'm here to show that it is inhumane to be snatching people off the streets and using this office building as a detention facility. These are human beings, and we need to show our support and solidarity with them in getting ice out of Chicago and out of our streets."
A single counterprotester is also at the facility, carrying an American flag. Shawn Campbell has mostly been positioned at the front of the facility, but during clashes between protesters and ICE, he has stood in between the officers and the demonstrators. He said he's here to promote peace and stand up for ICE agents, who he has heard are getting death threats.
"What's calling me to be here today is the people that I've seen that have been showing hatred towards this nation that people have been showing disdain for this age and disgust for this nation we live in America. We should proud American patriots and pledge our allegiance to this nation," Campbell said.
Demonstrators said they plan to stay until 7 p.m. and will continue coming back as long as ICE is occupying the building.