About 30 federal agents on the ground, and four to six on the facility roof, assaulted non-violent protesters on the street at 7:45PM, using tear gas, flashbangs, and pepper balls. No dispersal order was given prior to the attack. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

By Dominic Guanzon

Friday, 9/19/25

THE FOLLOWING IS AN ARCHIVE POST, PLEASE NOTE THE DATE

BROADVIEW, IL – Federal agents made extensive use of chemical weapons against non-violent demonstrators, practicing First Amendment rights, in front of the ICE Staging Facility/de facto detention center at 1930 Beach Street. Feds fired hundreds of pepper balls throughout the day and night, punctuated by periods of tear gas and flashbang use.

The violence was another escalation by federal law enforcement, who in previous weeks have been observed shoving, holding down, and man-handling demonstrators performing 1950s Civil Rights-style sit-ins on the street in front of the facility’s driveway.

Three to four detainees are held up against a van. It’s unknown if the detainees were arrested elsewhere in Chicagoland as part of anti-immigrant raids, or as facility protesters. View into the gated car lot connected to the facility, taken between small, untarped gaps of the barbed wire chain-link fencing. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

At no point on Friday, 9/19, during eight hours of personal observation, did any protester prove any threat to the facility.

About 200 to 300 protesters cycled in and out throughout the entirety of personal observation. It was not immediately clear who or what group(s), if any, were directly organizing the protest, with one post from the Instagram profile “chicagoprotests,” simply sharing a poster. On the whole, every component of the protest – from medical aid to plywood shields – appeared to come from individuals coming together for spontaneous action.

Personal observation began upon arrival at 10:30AM. Protesters were still recovering from federal violence from the four to five hours prior, where another sit-in occurred, tear gas was deployed, and in footage captured by Graystak Media, a woman was put in a headlock, struck with pepper balls, and tossed to the ground.

Politicians and candidates were also present prior to 10:30AM, including Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who appeared to witness at least one attack on protesters from the feds. IL-9 candidate Kat Abugazaleh was thrown to the ground during another sit-in where tear gas was deployed. Evanston Mayor and fellow IL-9 congressional candidate Daniel Biss was seen in the crowd near the federal chemical attack, as they attempted to shove protesters off a van.

Alds. Andre Vasquez (40th) and Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) were also seen among protesters and giving speeches.

Identifying which agencies the feds were from was difficult to parse due to the agents masking their face, and using generic terminology like “POLICE” on patches adorned to their chest rigs and tactical vests. Some media identified the agents as members of a Special Response Team (SRT).

According to a 2020 report from the Government Accountability Office, separate instances of SRTs are operated by the Office of Field Operations (OFO), which is under Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as separate instances under Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Both ERO and HSI are under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Both CBP and ICE are under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The SRTs are intended to be DHS’ special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams, conducting high-risk raids and serving high-risk warrants targeting alleged criminals.

On Friday, they faced off against college kids with poster boards, Christian pastors, and abuelas trying to deliver medication to detainees.

According to footage from Chicago Reader News Editor Shawn Mulcahy, one federal agent unholstered their service pistol, before quickly holstering it again. This happened “at least twice,” according to Mulcahy. The agent appeared to be dressed differently than the SRT surrounding them.

This brief-yet-significant incident is another escalation by federal agents at Broadview, with the killing of Silverio Villegas González by ICE agents a week prior on Friday, 9/12, casting a shadow over events.

10:30AM to Noon – Vans and Pepper Balls

A person is struck directly in the neck and torso by pepper balls while non-violently protesting in the driveway. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

One to six federal agents maintained a near-constant overwatch from the roof of the facility, as agents with pepper ball launchers fired at anyone they deemed as standing too close to the gate. Those same people were often the loudest, and not necessarily the closest. The roof agents were especially prone to firing pepper balls at anyone who approached the facility from the north side, around the corner of the chain link fence.

A federal agent watches from the roof of the facility, pepper ball launcher at the ready, as protests continue below. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Pepper balls were constantly fired throughout the day and night, filling the air with irritants, which could be felt as far as 200 feet away from the driveway. Most shots struck the ground around the targets, but many made contact with their legs, arms, torsos, and heads. Most five-to-eight-shot barrages would hit both the ground and the target.

In almost all cases, those without proper protection, such as safety goggles or N95 masks, had to remove themselves from the situation to flush their eyes with water. Sneezes and coughs were a mainstay of the entire protest.

In footage captured by author Kelly Hayes prior to 10:30AM, Presbyterian Reverend David Black was struck directly on the top of his unprotected head by a pepper ball.

Protesters came in a variety of attire, but mostly in casual summer streetwear: shirts, tank tops, hoodies, shorts, jeans, jogging pants, sneakers, and sandals. Those with thicker, slightly looser clothing, such as work pants and hoodies appeared to better take direct hits from pepper balls.

In a photo taken by Shawn Mulcahy prior to 10:30AM, a federal agent was seen filming with a DSLR camera. It is currently unknown what federal agents are doing with the footage/images, but word spread, and some protesters were observed taking newly-found caution to cover tattoos, faces, jewelry, and other identifying marks. Others did not immediately care, either due to anger or because, as one person put it, “they probably already got me.”

A protester reveals five welts on their back from pepper ball strikes. They also received strikes on their legs and feet. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

One person suffering from the effects of the pepper balls prompted someone to call for local emergency services. Broadview police officers showed up to escort the victim to the lot at 2000 S 25th St, where the victim was treated by EMTs. The victim then disclosed they were “hosed down” by the local fire department after they saw how much chemical residue was on his clothing, before being taken to a hospital.

The same victim later returned for the evening protest in hospital scrubs, still wearing his plastic hospital identification bracelet.

(Top) A protester collapses to the ground after being struck with pepper balls from roof overwatch. (Bottom) The victim would be treated by street medics with water before being treated by Broadview first responders. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Protesters, legal observers from Chicago’s branch of the National Lawyers Guild (“green hats”), street medics, and press, were present around the clock, naturally cycling in and out.

A pair of folding tables was erected just across the street, allowing for effective mutual aid throughout the day and night. The tables were stocked primarily with food, medical supplies, N95 masks, and an abundance of water. People stopped by at various points to drop off new supplies and walk away with trash. It wasn’t readily apparent who or what groups organized the aid, and how many people brought items spontaneously.

A mutual aid table was erected, stacked with food, medical supplies, and especially water. People provided and took what they needed, and it never ran empty. Volunteers also picked up the trash. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Milk jugs were also present at the table, likely intended as a treatment for chemical agents. However, a majority of protesters warned that milk as a treatment for chemicals in crowd control weapons was a myth, and that milk only helped with the capsaicin in chili pepper and hot sauce. Water was the most-used and most effective treatment to flush chemicals in the eyes. Compared to milk, it was also cheaper and non-perishable.

Independent photographer Humanizing Through Story uses a squeeze bottle filled with water to effectively flush chemicals from their eyes. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

NLG observers, wearing respirator masks and their signature neon green caps, consistently embedded themselves within and around the crowds to ensure a clear line-of-sight of what was going on. Some were noticeably frustrated as they struggled to keep up with the sheer amount of federal abuses taking place in such quick succession. Ultimately, they maintained composure through approximately 18 hours of combined, rotating observation.

The street medics worked extensively, mostly tending to pepper ball victims by flushing their eyes with water. One street medic disclosed this was their first day, laughing at how hard of a launch this was for them.

(Top) Legal observers from Chicago’s branch of the National Lawyers Guild. (Bottom) An NLG observer speaks with a protester struck with pepper balls. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Standing in front of federal vehicles proved to be the most-effective form of disruption, as agents continuously fired pepper balls, and in some cases, leave the car lot to forcefully move demonstrators.

In one instance, a woman standing in front of the driveway was pushed to the ground by advancing agents from ICE’s Special Response Team (SRT), as identified from their patches. The woman, a self-described “white, suburban 60-year old,” was compelled to come to the protest with her husband after seeing images of the protests just a few hours ago in the early morning.

“I’ll be ok, I got a fat ass,” she joked after getting up.

(Top) A 60-year-old woman is pushed to the ground by advancing feds, one of whom kicks the woman’s sign she had dropped. (Bottom) Another woman scolds the feds for knocking the first woman to the ground. Arm patches ID the feds read as “CHI-04 CHICAGO FIELD OFFICE – SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM,” who have been previously seen at the facility. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

A non-violent protester stands still in front of a van attempting to enter the gated car lot of the facility. The protester was later forced away by pepper balls. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

A drone occasionally operated above the street throughout the day. It cannot be verified if this was a government drone, since later that night, at least one independent, non-government media person was confirmed using and landing their own drone, and claimed their drone received fire from pepper ball guns.

A drone made occasional passes up and down Beach St throughout the day and night, but it could not be verified if feds used a drone, as at least one drone was seen being used and landed by an independent media person. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Noon to 2PM – Protestors Chant “Pedophile Lover” at Gregory Bovino

*A CBP Black Hawk flies over I-290. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.*

At about 11:45AM, a Black Hawk helicopter began circling the facility. It contrasted sharply with the news helicopters before and after it, both in shape and in how much closer it was flying to the ground. The aircraft was identified by photojournalist Paul Goyette as belonging to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), written along the side. Specifically, their Air and Marine Operation, as written along the tail.

About ten minutes later, a convoy of about three vehicles pulled up to the gate, with CBP’s Gregory Bovino stepping out. Bovino is Commander of Operations for Operation Midway Blitz, just as he was for the spike in raids in Los Angeles this past summer.

Bovino then stood still and silently on the driveway in a loose wedge formation with federal agents, likely in an attempt at intimidation and to pose for cameras. Protesters yelled a series of insults, before collectively landing on the chant of “pedophile lover,” in reference to Bovino working under President Donald Trump.

*Residents in the nearby neighborhood appeared visibly upset, concerned, and loudly commented at how loud and close the Blackhawk was. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.*

After about five minutes without incident, Bovino entered the facility, where he would stay for about an hour, before leaving in the same convoy. Bovinio was seen mockingly waving goodbye to protesters from the safety of his van.

The Black Hawk helicopter, after getting progressively lower, left about 15 minutes after Bovino’s departure. Residents in the nearby neighborhood appeared visibly upset, concerned, and loudly commented at how loud and close it was.

(Top) CBP’s Command of Operations Gregory Bovino, posing silently for cameras as protesters chant “pedophile lover.” (Bottom) CBP Black Hawk flying in a circular pattern of the facility. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

According to a post from independent photojournalist Humanizing Through Story, at about 1PM, a mother and her two daughters arrived at the facility to deliver medication to a detainee. Humanizing Through Story continues:

“After calling ahead, they were told they would be allowed to bring the medicine, but once they arrived no one let them in.

“One agent finally opens the door after someone pounds on it, yelling for everyone to get off the property while trying to slam it shut. A protester holds the door open, shouting, ‘You will give them the medicine for the person inside.’”

At that point, the agent then shoved the protester backwards, and rooftop overwatch fired one pepper ball, hitting the protester in the neck. After fleeing, the protester was treated by street medics for their injury, while the mother and her two daughters said a prayer, and left in their vehicle without delivering the medication.

A protester attempts to assist a family attempting to deliver medication to one of the detainees inside the facility, while a tattooed federal agent yells that they “were closed” before shutting the door. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

The tattooed agent shoves the protester back. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Rooftop overwatch fires a pepper ball at the protester, hitting them in the neck. The family cowers in fear, unable to see who’s firing. Independent photographer Humanizing Through History is on the steps to assess what’s happening. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Seeing the firing has stopped, the mother guides her daughters back to their vehicle, having been unable to deliver the medication to the detainee. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

A couple hundred feet south, there was a smaller point of contention between feds and protesters at 2000 S 25th Ave at various points throughout the day. Federal agents have continuously been parking there, then moving a couple hundred feet 1930 Beach St, before leaving.

Both lots are in the middle of an industrial park, where businesses and workers were still operating next door. In some cases, workers came in and out of the building to observe the federal violence happening just 50 feet away. One worker exchanged insults with a protester before walking away.

Protesters shout insults at agents guarding the lot to 2000 S 25th St, where agents have been parking their vehicles before moving on foot to nearby 1930 Beach St. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

A local worker holding a beverage exchanges angry words with a protester, who films the encounter. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

The worker backs off as other protesters arrive to deescalate. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Counter-protesters made sporadic appearances throughout the day. One male in sunglasses stationed their vehicle a hundred feet south of the facility, set up a lawn chair, and opened the back of their vehicle to play classic rock music. He occasionally got into verbal spats with protesters that walked by.

Another pair of protesters slowly drove past the protesters while making fun of them out their car window. They had written messages on their windows, including “RIP Charlie Kirk.”

Personal observation for the daytime ended at 2PM.

Reporters and legal observers share a moment of levity in-between events. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

A black cat was seen multiple times throughout the day, seemingly unbothered by events. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

7PM to 8PM – An Overwhelming Federal Attack

A protester atop a car holds up a double-sided sign saying “I FUCKED 2 OF YOU ON GRINDR (PRE[obscured] SURE).” Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Personal observation resumed at 7PM. Word on the street was that a second protest had been called at that time, and new arrivals were showing up. Upon arrival, about a dozen protesters, appearing to suffer from pepper ball attacks, were walking away from the facility. One of them was the aforementioned Rev. David Black, who was struck directly on the top of his unprotected head by a pepper ball in the early morning.

Local religious leaders, particularly young Christian pastors, were present throughout the day and evening. Other pastors were from the United Methodist Church, and some protesters invoked deeply religious rhetoric.

One protester proclaimed to be Catholic, urging feds there was “still time to repent and turn away.” Regular chants of “save your soul, quit your job” broke out. A protester wearing a, presumably artificial, crown of thorns held up a sign essentially asking if Jesus would deport his neighbors. Another protester with a large, all-black flag, a gas mask, and a megaphone repeated the words “God is watching” in a somber, accusatory tone for at least fifteen minutes.

Rev. David Black gives an interview to media. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

At 7:45PM, about 30 federal agents formed up in the gated car lot, seemingly to allow another car to enter or leave, as they had done throughout the day. Upon the gate opening, however, agents threw several tear gas canisters before advancing forward onto the street, the canisters combusting with orange sparks before emitting their chemicals.

No dispersal order was given.

Minutes before the attack, protesters noticed the agents amassing in the lot, prompting the protesters to improvise a defensive formation of their own. Working collectively with no clear leadership, they stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a line formation on the street, facing the driveway.

About a dozen plywood boards, which were fastened with rope handles and painted with anti-ICE designs beforehand, were used as shields, in addition to a few umbrellas. It wasn’t apparent who brought the boards, in keeping with the pattern of mutual aid and decentralized organizing.

The designs on the board sported phrases such as: “CHINGA LA MIGRA,” “NO BORDERS NO NATIONS,” “FUCK THE LAW,” and in one instance, a depiction of the Statue of Liberty’s torch.

(Top) Protesters improvise a defensive formation minutes before an attack from federal agents with chemical weapons. The plywood shields read (center) “NO BORDERS NO NATIONS” and (right) “CHINGA LA MIGRA.” (Bottom) Plywood shields, with (left) a depiction of the Statue of Liberty torch and (right) “FUCK THE LAW.” Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

The tear gas quickly enveloped the defensive formation, as the federal agents on the ground slowly moved forward, firing pepper balls in five-round intervals. About four to six agents on the roof also fired from their overwatch position.

Several members of the press were standing still when the tear gas canisters were thrown at them and combusted at their feet. Others were struck directly with pepper balls, despite clearly being marked as press on their helmets, wearing press badges, and/or carrying large cameras. One pepper ball was personally received in the leg, but did not leave a mark due to thicker, slightly loose work pants.

As tear gas clouds reached their apex, the crowd was dispersed in several parts. It was unclear what happened to the defensive formation in the center, and first-hand accounts were mixed. What could be personally observed was about half of the protest crowd fleeing north, up Beach Street.

Feds in tight formation. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

As people fled northward, agents threw flashbang grenades, disorienting those without ear protection, such as concert-grade earplugs.

As the crowd began to recover, protesters restarted chants of “fuck ICE” with renewed intensity, and holding their ground a couple hundred feet away from Lexington and Beach Streets.

The agents then broke off into smaller “snatch squads” to arrest isolated members of the crowd who were still suffering from the effects of the gas. It wasn’t clear how many were apprehended with the “snatch-and-grab” tactics.

(Top) An expended tear gas canister. Markings read “CM – RIOT CONTROL – CS – [Defense Technology LLC logo].” (Bottom) The bottom of an expended tear gas canister. Markings read “Casper, WY 82601 – Part No. 1026 – Defense Technology LLC.” Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Incensed after being attacked first by a severe escalation of violence, a few protesters tossed back a tear gas canister, threw a couple of water bottles, and launched about three scattered fireworks. The water bottles landed at least 50 feet away from the nearest agent. The fireworks did little against the agents, who were already protected from the much louder and brighter flashbang grenades.

The entire maneuver, from when the agents first opened the gate to when they closed it after returning, lasted nine and a half minutes. Agents fired over 150 pepper balls in that timespan alone, based on a count from personal footage of the distinct sound made from pepper ball guns.

(Top) A member of the press wipes chemicals from their face. Journalists, reporters, photographers, and video camera operators had tear gas, flashbangs, and pepper balls thrown or shot directly at them. This, despite being clearly marked as press and wearing press badges. (Bottom) A member of the press uses water to flush their eyes of chemicals. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

8PM to 11:30PM – Insults Continue Amid Pepper Balls, Protesters Released From Detention

After the 7:45PM attack from federal agents, protester numbers were reduced, but several dozen remained, and new ones arrived over the next few hours. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

*Over the course of 16 hours of regular pepper ball attacks, Beach St became littered with expended pepper balls, and the white streaks of residue they left behind. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.*

Despite reduced numbers, a dedicated cadre of about 30 to 40 remained, with a few even arriving for the first time.

“We saw what was happening and drove an hour away,” said a pair of college-age women. “We could only bring a case of water bottles, but we wanna stay and help.”

Protesters continued to tend to their chosen duties, including dropping off supplies for the table, picking up trash from fleeing protesters, taking trash bags with them as they left, recording movement inside the gated car lot, and writing on the street with sidewalk chalk.

“NAZI FUCKS STAY OUT,” said one chalk message.

Throughout the day and evening, Broadview PD kept a presence at the corner of Lexington and Beach Streets, but were not personally observed interfering with protesters or federal agents. This included vehicles. Because Beach St is extremely short, and directly comes off of I-290, many cars accidentally drove by and awkwardly turned around.

(Top) A protester writes on the street with sidewalk chalk, in full view of rooftop overwatch. (Bottom) A separate chalk message reads “NAZI FUCKS STAY OUT.” Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

A protester collects trash dropped by protesters fleeing federal attack. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Over the next three hours until their departure, federal agents did not escalate to the same scale of violence as 7:45PM. However, they did come out in formation to allow vehicles to leave the gated lot, just as they had throughout the day.

Whenever this occurred, they were met with insult from protesters, but also appeals to humanity.

“No check is worth this.”

“Is this how you want to be remembered? Do you want your children to remember you as terrorists?”

“You’ve got to know you’re on the wrong side of history right now. You go home, you see your kids, you tell them…what?”

“[Trump] doesn’t care about you. You’re a pawn.”

“I know you can’t do it in front of your fellow officers, but turn away. You can always turn away. It’s not too late.”

“How do you sleep at night?”

The agents remained silent a majority of the time, but one female protester appeared to get through to at least one agent, who spoke through the intercom system on his gas mask.

“‘Peaceful’ protesters? With shields and masks?” The agent said, speaking through their gas mask’s electronic voice projection system, making them sound like Civil Protection units from the videogame Half-Life 2. “Psh, c’mon.”

“They were only using it because of the force you guys were using,” the woman responded.

The agent then countered they were attacked by fireworks and stones, to which the woman reiterated the crowd was attacked first with overwhelming force, despite practicing First Amendment rights.

While not personally observed being thrown, small stones were occasionally scattered on the ground. It’s unknown if they were from bring thrown, or from people running on and off the nearby rock yards (lawns but with small pebbles instead of grass).

At this point, another agent motioned for the verbally-engaged agent to stop talking, before the formation again retreated into the gated car lot.

During another shouting match, rooftop overwatch fired upon protesters with pepper balls after agents on the ground retreated to the gated car lot. The protesters posed no threat, only shouting insults.

Protesters verbally confronted federal agents whenever they exited the gated car lot. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Shortly after the large 7:45PM attack, State Senator Graciela Guzman (IL-20) was spotted at the scene after hearing that two of her constituents were being detained.

During a lull in protesting, standing in front of the driveway, she spoke over a megaphone towards the facility, seeking a response.

“My name is State Senator Graciela Guzman. I seek to speak with someone, one-on-one, respectfully, to inquire of the state of the people you have detained, and my two constituents from the 20th district. Please advise.”

She would repeat this a number of times for about fifteen minutes, including during another federal maneuver to let vehicles in the gated lot. Even with agents an arm’s length away, Guzman received no response. A protester held an umbrella near her head to protect against potential pepper ball firings from rooftop overwatch.

Chicago Alderman Anthony J Quezada (35th) arrived a little later, dressed in a suit, claiming to come straight from a dinner function.

“That building is run by terrorists!” Quezada yelled in anger, walking up to the scene and getting his bearings.

At least five protesters were gradually released later in the night. One of the victims, who refused being filmed or photographed, suffered from large facial wounds to the face. Another victim disclosed to the local politicians and legal observers that remaining detainees were in even worse shape, having been “smashed on the ground,” during their apprehension, and were last seen in a groggy state. Several of the victims requested to be taken to a hospital.

State Senator Guzman confirmed at the scene that her constituents had been released.

At 11:10PM, a large contingent of federal agents, likely the same tactical team that had been conducting attacks, left the facility to move south to the lot at 2000 S 25th Ave. There, they departed in a dozen vehicles. About 30 protesters followed them to the lot, shouting insults.

(Top) A large contingent of agents leave together to move to the cars in a separate lot they had arrived in, as protesters follow from a distance and shout insults. (Bottom) A dozen vehicles left at the same time. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.

Personal observation ended at 11:30PM.

In the nearby residential neighborhood, one protester, with no protective equipment, was walking alone towards the facility. They were informed by others they would arrive there with reduced numbers, as well as the weapons they would be facing. The protester turned around, saying they would be back another day.

A dropped protest sign with the following text: “CBP HAS KIDS’ BLOOD ON ITS HANDS. – See: Anadith Danay Reyes Alvarez(8 yrs old) – Jakelin Caal Maquin(7 yrs old) – Felipe Gomez Alonso[sic] (8 yrs old) – Carlos Gregario [sic] Hernandez(16 yrs old) – SHAME” Alvarez died in 2023 during Joe Biden’s administration. The rest, under Trump. Broadview, IL, 9/19/25.