September 28, 2025
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, National Lawyers Guild of Chicago (NLG Chicago) witnessed alarming and violent attacks on those assembled to protest at the ICE detention facility in suburban Broadview, IL. The pattern of law enforcement violence and targeted attacks persisted yesterday, with agents launching chemical agents and firing munitions at members of the press and people assembled to protest.
NLG Chicago has confirmed at least 11 arrests from yesterday, including one member of the press who was clearly identified as a journalist. As of Sunday morning, it appears 5 people remain in federal custody. This brings the total number of NLG confirmed arrests at the protests against the Broadview facility to twenty-eight (28), since September 19. Twenty-two (22) people from those confirmed arrests have been released.
Yesterday, multiple Legal Observers were subjected to violence, as federal agents appeared to directly target Legal Observers who were actively documenting arrests and law enforcement actions. Agents used multiple chemical agents, launched kinetic grenades, and shot rubber bullets, mace, and pepper balls against those assembled. One Legal Observer was shot directly in the face with a projectile. Agents also menaced people by pointing firearms at them, including hand guns and a rifle.
The agents’ attacks were notably distinct from prior days in that officers went after people who were simply gathered to support the active protesters. Officers forcibly removed people sheltering from tear gas in vehicles, resulting in the separation of a child from family members who were bringing food in support of the protest. Agents fired weapons at specific protesters in direct response to their First Amendment-protected statements and snatched protesters’ signs. Officers also confiscated tents used for shade, as well as food, water and first aid supplies, and people’s bike helmets and other personal property, putting them in a dumpster in the restricted area. When some of those present tried to leave in their vehicles, agents blocked them and demanded to illegally search people’s bodies and vehicles.
According to Amanda Yarusso, a volunteer attorney with NLG Chicago, “Last night, our Legal Observers witnessed militarized federal agents deploy chemical weapons and fire projectiles at a crowd of people exercising their First Amendment rights. The violence was an indiscriminate, unprovoked, and illegal use of force. These unlawful actions by federal agents demonstrate this administration’s complete disregard of constitutional standards.”
“NLG Chicago will continue to provide legal support to individuals exercising their constitutional rights.” said Yarusso.
