Quick Read
- Federal agents fired pepper balls and chemical agents at protesters outside Broadview ICE.
- Bushra Amiwala was struck while tying support notes to the fence.
- ICE claimed protesters were blocking access; arrests were made.
Protest at Broadview ICE facility met with pepper bullets
On Friday morning, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents fired pepper bullets and released chemical agents at peaceful demonstrators outside the Broadview facility. Among those hit was Bushra Amiwala, candidate for Illinois’ 9th congressional district and a Skokie school board member. She said she had been attaching supportive notes for detained immigrants to the fence when the attack occurred. AP News reported that agents also fired from the rooftop, deploying tear gas alongside the pepper bullets.
Amiwala’s testimony: “This was an unprovoked assault”
“Everything was peaceful until the pepper bullets,” Amiwala said. She described hearing popping sounds, seeing projectiles flying through the air, and suddenly feeling the sting of chemical irritants. Breathing became difficult, she couldn’t stop coughing, and powder residue covered her clothing and hijab.
“This was an unprovoked assault,” she emphasized. “They fired indiscriminately at people standing on the other side of the fence.”
Law enforcement response and conflicting accounts
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, agents fired rubber bullets and chemical agents to disperse the crowd. The report noted that protests at the Broadview facility have been ongoing, with ICE responding forcefully whenever demonstrators tried to block entrances or move close to the gates.
ICE officials claimed protesters obstructed access to federal property and that some attempted to trespass. They also alleged that one demonstrator carried a firearm, though this claim has not been independently verified.
The meaning of the notes on the fence
Protesters, including Amiwala, attached handwritten notes to the fence for those detained inside. The goal was simple — to show the detainees that they were not forgotten. Amiwala explained that these messages were a small but powerful gesture of moral support and encouragement.
According to protesters and their defenders, authorities escalated far too quickly, even though many demonstrators were standing at a distance from the fence and not obstructing traffic.
Consequences and broader reaction
Several people were arrested during the confrontation. The Broadview fire department criticized the fence erected by ICE, calling it a safety hazard and demanding its removal.
The incident sparked a wider political debate in Illinois. Critics argue that using force against peaceful protests and targeting local leaders reveals a policy of fear and intimidation.
Assessment: The Broadview incident again shows how dangerous it becomes when authorities choose force over dialogue. Using violence against peaceful voices not only erodes public trust but also turns the civic space into one ruled by fear and silence.