At least 15 detained after protesters and police clash outside Chicago Ice center

At Least 15 Detained After Protesters Clash with Police Outside Chicago ICE Facility

A tense standoff outside the Broadview Ice detention center in Chicago turned violent when protesters and police clashed on Friday. At least 15 people were taken into custody, with dozens more arrested for resisting or obstructing officers during a chaotic scene captured on video.

Demonstrators had gathered at the facility, which has been the site of recurring unrest in recent weeks, to protest what they see as overly aggressive enforcement by federal agents. Authorities had instructed protesters to remain within designated "protest zones" but tensions escalated when police moved to clear the roadway.

Eyewitnesses describe a heated confrontation with police using batons and helmets, with some protesters tackling and dragging others to the ground. Chants of "Who do you protect?" echoed through the crowd as protests turned violent.

Illinois state police confirmed that 15 detained protesters were aged 23-44, facing charges related to resisting or obstructing an officer. Protester Kat Abughazaleh, a congressional candidate, spoke out against the restrictions on free speech, saying that "everywhere else is not a free speech zone." She claimed to have been struck in the face with a baton and witnessed an officer push a woman to the ground.

The facility has seen repeated use of teargas and other chemical agents by federal agents, who have also used so-called "less-lethal" rounds to disperse crowds. Local officials have struggled to manage large demonstrations outside the facility, which have been linked to the Trump administration's decision to target Chicago with increased federal law enforcement presence.

In a court order issued earlier in the week, judges required federal agents in Illinois to wear body cameras during immigration operations, citing multiple incidents involving pepper balls, smoke grenades, and teargas against protesters. Governor JB Pritzker praised the ruling, saying that "there's no justification for people tossing teargas in the context of people's protests."

The deployment of federal forces has been a contentious issue in Chicago, with many criticizing what they see as an overreach by the Trump administration. The city's mayor, Katrina Thompson, has spoken out against the conduct of federal agents, calling it "chaotic" and saying that "this is not Putin's Russia."

OMG this is crazy ! I'm literally shook by what happened outside that ICE facility . Like, I get why people are protesting for their rights, but at the same time, I feel bad for the cops who were there too... they gotta do their job right? But seriously, a court order requiring body cameras is like, about time! It's so important to hold people in power accountable, especially when it comes to something as serious as protests. And I love that Governor Pritzker is speaking out against the conduct of federal agents - he's like, totally on point . Can't we all just get along and make sure everyone's safe?

just heard about this protest outside the ICE facility in Chicago... think it's crazy that things escalated like that 15 people detained, dozens more arrested? it's all because of the Trump admin's decision to increase federal law enforcement presence here they're trying to silence protesters but it's not going to work anyone who's seen those videos knows it's just not right Kat Abughazaleh got hit with a baton and saw an officer push a woman to the ground? that's unacceptable local officials are already struggling to manage demos outside the facility, now they need body cameras for federal agents too? can't wait to see how this plays out

Ugh I'm so worried about these protesters ... 15 people are detained after clashes with police outside an ICE facility in Chicago. It's just crazy how things escalated from a peaceful protest to violence. The cops were using batons and helmets, and some protesters were even tackled to the ground .

I don't blame them for standing up against what they see as overly aggressive enforcement by federal agents, but maybe there's a better way to handle these situations? The police are being super restrictive with their protest zones, and it's causing a lot of tension . I'm also really concerned about the use of teargas and other chemical agents – it's so not okay to hurt people like that .

And what's up with this new court order requiring federal agents to wear body cameras during immigration operations? It's a step in the right direction, but we need to make sure our law enforcement is being held accountable for their actions . This whole situation just feels so chaotic and frustrating .

Ugh, people need to chill, you know? Like, I get it, they're upset about the whole ICE thing and all, but clashing with the cops like this? Not cool. I mean, if you're gonna protest, at least try to stay calm and not fight back, right? And seriously, Kat Abughazaleh's whole "everywhere else is not a free speech zone" thing, come on, that's just basic civics 101 . And those federal agents, always with the pepper balls and teargas... it's like, can't they just talk to people instead of using force? Anyway, I guess the court order about body cameras is a step in the right direction, but we need more than that if we're gonna start seeing real change around here .

omg u think its cool for cops to use batons & helmets on ppl just trying 2 express themselves? they r supposed 2 b protecting us, but whats protectin' them from gettin hurt in the process? i mean, protesters got rights 2 free speech & assembly too, and its sad that authorities cant seem 2 figure out how 2 resolve conflicts peacefully

i also wonder whys protesters r so angry about federal agents here. dont they know we got our own city gov doing a great job? or is it just about the whole Trump thing? i dont really get it... can someone pls explain it 2 me?

watched this whole thing go down outside the Chicago ICE facility and I'm still trying to process what happened . 15 people gettin detained, dozens more arrested... seems like a lot of people losin their cool . I feel for the protesters who are just tryna express themselves, but at the same time, police gotta do their job right? . Can't we all just talk about this without it turnin into chaos ?

Ugh, can't believe these protests turned violent . I mean, I get why people are upset about the enforcement at the ICE facility - it seems pretty aggressive. But now 15 people are detained and others are facing charges for resisting? That's just not right. And what's with the baton-wielding police? It looks like they're more interested in causing harm than de-escalating the situation. I'm all for free speech, but you can't just let anyone disrupt traffic. Still, I do think the governor is on the right track by calling for body cameras for federal agents - it's about time someone held them accountable for their actions .

Ugh this is so frustrating... I feel for those 15 people who got detained and arrested... they were just trying to stand up for what they believe in. It's crazy how aggressive the police can be, especially when it comes to peaceful protests. I mean, why do they need batons and helmets? Can't we just have a calm conversation? The fact that Kat Abughazaleh got hit with a baton is just heartbreaking... she was even running for congress! It's so unfair how the Trump admin is using federal forces to crack down on protests. Chicago is a city of diversity and love, not fear and control We need more body cameras and less aggression from law enforcement. The governor's ruling about body cameras is a great start, but it's not enough... we need systemic change.

omg, this chicago protest is getting crazy 15 people detained after protesters clashed with police? that's wild. i mean, i get why they're protesting - the trumps admin is always stepping on people's rights... but violence is never the answer . and can we talk about how ridiculous it is for them to try to restrict free speech zones? like, everywhere else is not a free speech zone? what a joke . kat abughazaleh is speaking out against this stuff and she sounds super passionate... i hope her words help make some change . governor pritzker is right though - there's no justification for using teargas in protests, it's just not cool . and yeah, the trumps admin's deployment of federal forces has been super contentious in chicago... mayor thompson is saying all the right things . anyway, i'm keeping an eye on this situation .

.. 15 people taken away from this... what's gonna happen to 'em? Like, are they just gonna be forgotten? We're talkin' about people standin' up for somethin', demandin' justice, and they get slammed down. That's not just polices dealin' with protesters, that's people bein' treated like animals. Where's the accountability? And what really got me is when we talk 'bout "protest zones" and all this... it feels like we're losin' touch with why we even gotta protest in the first place. We're losin' our voice, our humanity...