Protest area outside ICE facility in village of Broadview, IL expanding after Mayor Katrina Thompson declares civil emergency
Police said Tuesday they're expanding the designated protest area near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview.
On Wednesday, Broadview will temporarily close a section of Beach Street to traffic, police said.
The expanded protest area includes a large portion of Beach Street south of Lexington Avenue down to local business access ways.
Local business access will be rerouted.
"This designated area will allow protestors to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights without inhibiting traffic, while reducing the risk to individuals standing in the street from being struck by vehicles and reducing the risk to officers engaged in enforcement," police said.
There is still a designated media area, as well.
Protestors can continue to access the designated area at Lexington Avenue and Beach Street, and protestors must continue to keep Lexington Avenue clear for traffic and emergency vehicles, police said.
Police said over 4,000 people have protested outside the ICE facility over the past month and a half.
They also said they continue to accept medications to be delivered to detainees and pass along requests from individuals and groups seeking contact with detainees and opportunities to provide support.
Mayor Katrina Thompson declared a civil emergency in Broadview Monday because of a series of recent threats.
The video in the player above is from an earlier report.
