In BROADVIEW, Illinois, law enforcement officers escorted a coalition of 14 suburban mothers from their protest position outside the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Friday. The mothers, who identify as part of a civil disobedience movement, were gathered in a circle blocking the road as a demonstration.
These women, hailing from various western suburbs, are voicing opposition to what they describe as a “campaign of chaos.” Their protest targets the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement initiative known as “Midway Blitz.”
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The demonstrators express their outrage over the fear and disruption they claim is being inflicted on their communities. They allege that their friends, family members, caregivers, and neighbors are living in constant fear, as individuals are forcibly separated from their daily lives and families.
The mothers assert their intention to leverage their “privilege as white women” to highlight the situation occurring in their neighborhoods and across the Chicagoland area. They aim to rally their community in support of immigrant families.
Ellen Toobin, an Oak Park resident, stated, “The situation on the streets is worse than imaginable due to the federal immigration enforcement we witness daily. Our communities are gripped by fear, and it’s crucial for people like us to take a stand, using our presence to protect those affected. It’s unacceptable.” She added, “We hope our voices are heard inside. Given the appalling reports of the conditions, we are here to support our friends and neighbors who have been seized and terrorized.”
Toobin further emphasized, “Witnessing these events is upsetting. It’s time to move beyond our screens and take to the streets, as this is the action required now.”
At the same time, a caravan of about 20 cars drove by the intersection of Beech and Lexington outside the Broadview ICE facility. The participants honked their horns, with signs posted on their vehicles that said, “hands off Chicago,” also in protest of the ongoing immigration enforcement.
Two more people were also detained on Friday, bringing the total to 16 arrests, officials said. At least three demonstrations total, all with similar messages, took place outside of the facility on Friday, including a multi-faith prayer service that got underway around 11 a.m.
Community members and faith leaders say they are worried about the tactics being used during immigration operations, and they are concerned about the conditions inside the Broadview processing center.
“They need to get the hell out of Chicago, and get the hell out of Illinois,” said Saint Sabina Church Father Michael Pfleger. “This is not acceptable. We are going to fight against them. We demand the freedom of the folks that have been locked up in these centers in inhumane conditions.”
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The group of multi-faith leaders gathered in prayer. They attempted to access the facility to meet with detainees on Friday, but their request was denied.
“Today, we are demanding that we have the opportunity to provide pastoral and spiritual care for those who are detained,” said Live Free IL Executive Director Rev. Ciera Bates.
The protests came after a federal judge ordered the Department of Homeland Security to improve the treatment of immigration detainees at Broadview.
It requires DHS to issue things like clean bedding to detainees with clean holding cells and enough space to sleep. Twice a day, they must give detainees soap, towels, and adequate meals and water. The judge ordered the changes to go into effect on Friday.
DHS has repeatedly denied allegations of inhumane treatment at the Broadview processing center.
The government has stated they already made improvements, such as ordering wet wipes so detainees can clean themselves while they are in custody.
On Friday, a remote status hearing was held regarding the conditions at the Broadview facility.
Judge Laura McNally said she would like to visit the Broadview facility on Thursday morning. The judge reiterated that the group will be small and both sides must give the court details as to who will attend the visit by next week.
Meanwhile, federal judge says the Trump administration cannot remove a day care worker from the U.S. Diana Santillana Galeano was taken into custody Wednesday from Rayito de Sol in Chicago’s North Center Neighborhood.
She’s currently being held at an ICE facility in Clark County, Indiana after she was held in Broadview.
DHS says she’s accused of paying people to illegally bring her two children into the U.S.
Her attorneys say she has a valid work permit that allows her to legally work here. They’re now pushing for a bond hearing.
