Large crowds return to Broadview ICE facility, protesting against immigration enforcement operations
BROADVIEW, Ill. (WLS) -- Massive crowds returned to the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Saturday to continue protesting against federal immigration operations.
This comes as the Trump administration is ramping up its immigration crackdown after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in Minnesota.
Despite the freezing temperatures, demonstrators organized peacefully, saying their message to the Trump administration is more important now than ever before.
"This is our country, and it belongs to we, the people, and it seems to have been taken over by a group of people who don't have our best interests at heart," said demonstrator Mary Moreland.
It was the first protest seen at the ICE processing facility in quite some time since thousands gathered there weekly at the peak of immigrations operations across Chicagoland. With escalating tensions in Minneapolis in recent weeks, protesters say, now is the time to keep organizing.
SEE ALSO | Minnesota protesters, agents repeatedly square off while prosecutors quit after Renee Good's death
"What's happening here is bad, but Minnesota, my God, that's like, ground zero. And to use that much tear gas on a crowd, for what?" said demonstrator David Kav.
Of course, Saturday's demonstration, led by the organization American Opposition, came as clashes between protesters and immigration agents continue in Minneapolis, especially after Good's shooting death less than two weeks ago.
And just days ago, tensions flared up in that city once again after a federal agent shot an alleged undocumented immigrant in the leg during a traffic stop. The Department of Homeland Security says the agent was also attacked. Demonstrators could be seen throwing fireworks in response as agents deployed chemical irritants.
Meanwhile, sources told ABC News that federal officials have opened an investigation into Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, looking into whether they may have obstructed law enforcement activity in the state.
And while President Donald Trump and DHS Sec. Kristi Noem have said many anti-ICE protesters are paid agitators, demonstrators in Broadview pushed back against that narrative.
"I'm just an old white guy from the suburbs. I don't have a criminal record. I don't get paid for this. I do it because we have to. We have to get out in bad weather, good weather," said one protester, named Tony.
The crowd rallied right outside the west suburban ICE facility for a couple of hours before marching their way down 25th Street.
READ MORE | Renee Good's wife speaks out after fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis: 'She literally sparkled'
The Unified Command Center reported no arrests from Saturday's protest.
People there say it was important to send their message peacefully.
"It's about people who see what's happening and want to make a change, and that's why you have people out here in 12-degree weather, however cold it is, because they want to see change," Tovar said.
"We are here to send a clear message, that we are going to stay and we are going to stand up for what freedom actually is," Kav said.
According to organizers, this is the first of many more rallies planned in Broadview and around Chicagoland, as they say, they are worried that federal immigration operations will return to the area soon.
