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“[T]oo many protesters are raising their fists rather than their
voices, creating chaos at the expense of the people who call
Broadview home,” Thompson said. “Broadview residents lack the
protestors’ privilege to return to calm, quiet neighborhoods for
undisturbed rest.”
Thompson said she signed a new executive order that permits
protests only at the safety zone located at the ICE facility on
Beech Street in the community of about 8,000 people.
“Additionally, 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,” she said. “This new measure will provide for
both the serenity of residents and safety of protestors.”
She issued an executive order last Monday limiting protests
times from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This week, Thompson reiterated she supports the protesters “free
and – peaceful – speech” against ICE activities.
“Nevertheless, my first priority is to defend public safety and
the residents who live here and people who work here,” she said.
“They deserve stability, safety, and respect, a quality of life
that is currently being denied to them. They deserve the love
and kindness that they expect by being Broadview residents.”
Illinois State Police are working with other state and local law
enforcement officers to keep the peace with a unified command.
“Uniformed officers will be on site to help direct people to the
designated areas,” ISP said earlier this month in announcing the
unified command. “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.”
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