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Agents for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement clashed with congressional candidates and other protesters Friday morning during a demonstration outside of the Broadview processing center. <\/p>\n
During the protest, Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old progressive running for the 9th Congressional District seat, was pushed to the ground by an ICE agent in fully camouflaged uniform, according to video from the protest posted on her social media. <\/p>\n
In a phone interview, Abughazaleh told the Sun-Times she was thrown to the ground twice by ICE agents and was helping another protester when an agent lifted her by her chest, carried her, and threw her onto the asphalt. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t surprised, and that\u2019s part of why we\u2019re here,\u201d Abughazaleh said. \u201cEveryone here is at least a little bit scared, but mostly I\u2019m angry and we need to get the facility shut down.\u201d <\/p>\n
ICE agents used tear gas and shot pepper balls, she said \u2014 some of which hit her legs \u2014 around 6 a.m., while shouting \u201cyour first amendment rights are on the sidewalk.\u201d A Sun-Times videographer on the scene was impacted.<\/p>\n
She anticipates a \u201cnasty\u201d bruise on her right side.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more important than ever to stand with our neighbors, if not just for their basic human dignity,\u201d Abughazaleh said. \u201cI\u2019m not here as a candidate, I\u2019m here as an individual.\u201d <\/p>\n
An automated message played periodically warning protesters they could be subjected to arrest or the use of chemical ammunition if they don\u2019t disperse.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is hereby declared that you are obstructing and impeding federal law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties in violation of federal law,\u201d a woman\u2019s voice said during the message. \u201cYou are commanded to immediately disperse. If you do not do so, you may be arrested or subject to other police action,\u201d the message said. <\/p>\n
Evanston Mayor and fellow 9th Congressional District candidate Daniel Biss was at the protest and described ICE\u2019s response as \u201ca deliberate show of force and domination.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were trying to intimidate and dominate,\u201d Biss said in a phone interview with the Sun-Times Friday morning. <\/p>\n
Biss recounted the scene \u201cbecoming chaotic quick\u201d as he struggled for air after agents fired a chemical agent toward him and other protesters. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt first I was just feeling determined and grateful because there were so many people standing in solidarity, and at some point it got very scary,\u201d Biss told the Sun-Times. \u201cWhen you can\u2019t breathe, fear takes over.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nFederal forces just tear gassed myself and the other peaceful protestors here at the Broadview ICE facility. This is a terrifying escalation, but we will not back down. pic.twitter.com\/15VvI6jZE8<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Daniel Biss (@DanielBiss) September 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
When it comes to protesting, Biss stressed the importance of participants \u201cassessing the risk and making the right choice for them and their family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want anyone to make a decision that they don\u2019t feel is right for them, but I think we all need to figure out what we can do to register our projection of these cruel and barbaric attacks on our neighborhoods as vocally and visibly as possible, and hopefully do it in a way that inspires others to join us so we can grow the movement,\u201d Biss said. <\/p>\n
At the scene Friday about 9 a.m., despite chemical agents, protesters remained firm against the recent immigration actions across the Chicago area outside the ICE facility. By 9:30 a.m., about 30 protesters were still at the facility.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever we deal with out here is absolutely nothing compared to what the people that are inside of that building and the people that have been forcibly removed from this country are dealing with,\u201d said Lane Faltin, 22. \u201cIt\u2019s a disgusting abuse of power.\u201d <\/p>\n
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