Broadview, the Chicago suburb that’s been the scene of violent anti-ICE protests, declared a “civil emergency” and suspended in-person village council meetings, saying things have gotten out of hand.
Katrina Thompson, the mayor of Broadview, signed the order Monday after a weekend of violence that she said saw protesters try to “storm” the city government building. She also said she faced a death threat last month and revealed the village building faced a “serious and credible bomb threat” in September.
The local government has come under fire from protesters who say it’s not doing enough to support them in their bid to hinder U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which runs a migrant processing facility in Broadview.
After initially balking, Broadview in recent weeks has provided police to try to control unruly demonstrators and has limited protest hours. On Friday, the protest turned violent when protesters attempted to burst through the barricades and storm the ICE facility.
State and local police clashed with the rioters, leaving several officers injured and sparking 21 arrests.
The flare-up and emergency declaration come as President Trump seeks to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois to protect ICE. That issue is pending before the Supreme Court, and a ruling is expected any day.
Homeland Security said Broadview is now facing what ICE has seen all along.
“For well over a month, rioters have attacked the Broadview field office and Illinois streets,” the department said in a statement. “They have created serious public safety and officer safety threats: assaulting law enforcement, attacking law enforcement with vehicles, throwing tear gas cans, slashing tires, getting arrested with firearms in their possession, blocking the entrance of the building and trespassing on private property.”
Ms. Thompson blamed out-of-town protesters for the recent violence and defended her handling of it.
“I stand by every decision that has been made,” she said.
She indicated the emergency order will remain in place until the threat disappears.
Broadview has a processing facility where migrants arrested in the Chicago area are brought for fingerprinting and records checks.
Migrants are then supposed to be released or taken to a longer-term detention facility. A federal judge has found the conditions to be illegal and that some migrants are being kept for days.
The judge ordered improvements, such as access to lawyers, showers, better food and bottled water.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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