"No Kings" protest held near Broadview ICE facility on Saturday
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Broadview ICE detention center on Saturday for a "No Kings" protest to push against the Trump administration.
The protest kicked off around 10 a.m. with people who were fired up just days after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis.
The crowd chanted the name of Renee Niclole Good. Not only was her name heard, but Good's face was seen throughout the protest at the facility on Saturday morning. That shooting echoed the shooting in Franklin Park during "Operation Midway Blitz."
"In our neighborhoods, the impact is real, and it's personal!" one protester said.
Organizers of the event spoke beforehand, saying their message is to fight against "Nazi-style atrocities" from the Department of Homeland Security, after incidents like Good's death.
"This is Nazi behavior, and we need to stand up, and I think the Latino community has had enough, and we are saying, you know what, we are going to stand up for ourselves and for each other," said Carlos Alvarez-Aranyos, founder of American Opposition.
It's important to note that the protest at the Broadview facility remained peaceful yet forceful. Village officials stated that organizers had met with them in advance to plan a safe protest. It's a protest where people also voiced their concerns about the treatment of detainees brought to the Broadview facility.
"There are so many people that do not want these things in our communities, but the people we are about are impacted, so we are going to show up every time we can," Katie said.
"I have to be here," David Kav said.
Kav came from Iowa for the protest.
The village expected anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 participants, but with the weather, more like hundreds showed up.
"People are saying, 'It's a little cold, you shouldn't be here.' I think we are underestimating the heart of the people," Kav said.
The protest zone started half a block away from the Broadview detention center, and is filled in with hundreds of protestors. The police have also blocked off traffic, so no cars can get inside their area at Lexington Street and Beach.
State troopers, local police, and sheriff's deputies were all part of securing the peaceful protest. It was expected to end at 3 p.m., but around noon, people exited toward 25th avenue, forcing road closures.
Organizers said in advance that they apologize.
"This is inconvenient, and we know that, and we are sorry about that, but at the same time, it needs to be done because if the good guys never step up, the bad guys get a free run at taking over our country," Alvarez-Aranyos said.
Village officials say there were no arrests they are aware of as of Saturday.