5 Arrests Made At Designated Protest Areas Outside Broadview ICE Facility: Police

BROADVIEW, IL — Five arrests were made Friday of protesters outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. According to the Cook County Sheriff's Office, the following people were arrested:

• Ezra Q. Imes, 27, charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, arrested by Broadview Police.
• Rafael L. Menon, 20, charged with resisting and 0bstruction, arrested by Illinois State Police.
• Audrey J. Gladson, 32, charged with resisting and obstruction, arrested by ISP.
• Eman T. Abdelhadi, 36, charged with battery to a police officer, resisting and obstruction, arresting by ISP.
• Tricia Black, charged with resisting and obstruction, arrested by ISP.

Following a request from the Broadview Police Department, several law enforcement agencies have combined forces to establish a temporary "Unified Command" to coordinate public safety measures at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. Police said Thursday they are setting up designated areas where people "can safely exercise their rights, which will support the safety of the public, and ensure vehicular traffic can safely access the roads in the area."

The Cook County Sheriff's Office and Illinois State Police are receiving assistance from the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in the effort.

Police said the goal of the "Unified Command" is to protect the health and safety of all people, including nearby Broadview residents and businesses, while also enabling the peaceful expression of First Amendment rights. The agencies involved in this operation will neither assist nor obstruct enforcement of federal immigration statutes in compliance with state and federal law, according to a news release.

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The effort comes following a number of incidents between protesters and ICE agents at the facility. Last weekend, protesters were taken into custody. Reporters at the scene of the rally reported border patrol agents detained protesters "immediately" if they got too close to agents or did not clear the road. Agents also took wooden shields and umbrellas from protesters who took part in a rally last Saturday night outside the ICE processing center in Broadview.

Earlier this week, the Village of Broadview announced they had launched a criminal investigation after a CBS News Chicago reporter had a projectile fired at her vehicle by an ICE agent late Sunday morning. Reporter Asal Rezaei said there was no active protest or protesters at the facility, and she was alone with no one around her at the time of the incident.

In a report filed with Broadview police, Rezaei said she was driving her truck with her driver's side window down, while approaching the 25th Avenue entrance to see if any activity was taking place, before leaving the area.

Police said Thursday uniformed officers will be on site to help direct people to the designated areas. In addition to protecting the safety and rights of people peacefully expressing their views, these measures will also ensure that third parties that need access to the facility – including attorneys and legal representatives, people bringing medicine to detainees, and representatives from foreign consulates – will maintain clear points of access to the facility, according to police.

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