Illinois State Representative Emanuel Christopher Welch (C) speaks during a press conference outside the ICE detention facility in Broadview, Chicago, Illinois, on Monday. A fence around the building is scheduled to be removed Tuesday. Broadview’s Mayor also signed an executive order Monday that restricts protests after weekend demonstrations “degenerated into chaos.” Photo by Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA
Illinois leaders reiterated their calls Monday to “tear down” a fence surrounding the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, as the city’s mayor restricted protest zones near the building after weekend demonstrations “degenerated into chaos.”
Illinois House Speaker Emmanuel “Chris” Welch spoke to reporters outside the Broadview ICE facility, near Chicago, where bulldozers were scheduled to tear down the fencing Tuesday.
“Mr. Trump, tear down this fence now,” Welch said. “Tear it down. Tear down this symbol of division. Tear down this symbol of destruction. Tear it down and tear it down now.”
Last week, a judge ruled that the 8-foot barrier should be removed after a lawsuit by Broadview officials called the fence a public safety hazard, which could block emergency responders.
As the fence around the ICE facility was readied Monday for removal, Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson signed an executive order to shrink designated protest areas outside the building after demonstrations Saturday night “degenerated into chaos.”
“There are too many protesters raising their fists rather than their voices, creating chaos at the expense of the people who call Broadview home,” Thompson said in a statement. “Broadview residents lack the protesters’ privilege to return to calm, quiet neighborhoods for undisturbed rest.”
Thompson made the decision after consulting with the Illinois State Police and Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The order restricts the area outside the ICE facility to Beach Street only and restricts protest hours to between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., local time.
“This new measure will provide for both the serenity of residents and safety of protesters,” Thompson added. “It has been only God’s grace alone that a protester has not been struck and killed by a motorist on 25th Avenue given how frequently protesters dash onto this busy, four-lane street.”
Thompson said she is “mad” about Saturday’s protests outside the ICE facility, which led to 15 arrests. Charges included criminal damage to government property and disobeying police orders.
