A protest against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in suburban Chicago Friday turned into a full blown melee engulfed in clouds of tear gas as pepper balls and rubber bullets were fired to clear its entrance.
One of the protesters, Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, found herself on the pavement after law enforcement pushed her back from an apparent attempt to block a federal vehicle leaving the facility.
The demonstration took place at the Broadview ICE facility about 12 miles west of downtown Chicago. It quickly devolved into a battle with federal agents in tactical gear when a gate opened and a white SUV tried to exit the facility.
Also in the protest crowd estimated at some 100 demonstrators was Evanston, Illinois, Mayor Daniel Biss, who later accused ICE of intimidation of “peaceful” protesters.
However, video appears to show a different story as a man dressed in a Captain America shield charged agents and threw tear gas back at them.
At least three people were arrested and the tires of a federal vehicle were slashed, according to one report.
After the gate was cleared of demonstrators, protesters who remained screamed profane insults at the officers who remained guarding the facility.
“Was paying off your student loans worth it, motherfuckers?” one screamed.
“I hope your children are crying,” yelled another. “I hope your children are crying, you assholes.”
“Shit, fucking Nazi prick,” someone screamed.
“Go heil your Hitler,” another shouted.
At the end of the confrontation, as agents stepped back behind the facility’s closing gate, protesters’ insults devolved into a cacophony of raging f-bombs screamed at the top of their lungs.
Immigration enforcement officials have reportedly arrested nearly 550 people as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration called “Operation Midway Blitz” which began two weeks ago.
“Every arrest is a testament to DHS and its law enforcement’s dedication to enforcing the laws of our nation,” DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin told CBS News. “We will not be deterred by sanctuary politicians or violent rioters.”
Contributor Lowell Cauffiel is the author of the New York Times best seller House of Secrets and nine other crime novels and nonfiction titles. See lowellcauffiel.com for more.
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