Authorities in suburban Broadview have announced a plan to establish a designated protest area outside an ICE processing facility.
That facility has been the site of numerous protests since “Operation: Midway Blitz” began earlier this year, with more than 800 arrests reported so far as part of that operation.
While barriers have not yet been erected near the facility, there are markings on the ground, with law enforcement saying they plan to direct protesters to the designated areas in the coming days to help prevent clashes between protesters and federal agents.
Concrete barriers were seen outside of the facility, transported there by Broadview employees as the facility continues its operations.
According to a statement from Illinois State Police, a “Unified Command” has been established, along with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies, to help respond to protests in the area.
“The goal of the Unified Command is to protect the health and safety of all individuals, including nearby Broadview residents and businesses, and enable the peaceful expression of First Amendment rights,” ISP said in a statement. “The agencies involved in this operation will neither assist nor obstruct enforcement of federal immigration statutes in compliance with state and federal law.”
The news was not welcomed by some who have been protesting outside the facility in recent weeks.
“I worry that with these barricades, the first thing I thought was that it will make it harder for people to show up,” Levi Rolles said.
According to officials, the barriers are also being erected to ensure access to the facility for third parties like attorneys, legal reps and medical personnel.
The Broadview facility has not only been the site of numerous protests but also a number of clashes involving federal agents, who have deployed chemical agents at different times during their stepped up operations in the Chicago area.