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In Broadview, Illinois, the recent exit of Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and Texas National Guard members has not eased tensions in the area. Instead, the situation has prompted the village’s mayor to take urgent action.
Mayor Katrina Thompson has declared a civil emergency following a spate of threats targeting the community. In a public statement, she highlighted a death threat against her reported to the FBI on October 13, as well as a bomb threat called into Village Hall on September 4.
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Residents are feeling the impact of these tensions. “It’s not safe. My kid’s scared to go to school. I mean, it’s just a lot of drama. We’ve got the helicopters everywhere,” shared Greg Buchanan, a local resident.
The emergency status enabled the village to conduct Monday night’s Board of Trustees meeting online instead of gathering in person.
Mayor Thompson explained, “Due to safety protocols, it’s best that we do it virtually to protect the integrity of the people that live and work in this village. I will say that I stand by every decision that has been made as it relates to the village of Broadview.”
Bryant Roby was among Broadview residents who had hoped to attend Monday’s village board meeting, only to learn that it was being held remotely.
“It’s very upsetting. It’s very upsetting. The whole climate in this area for the last months is just disturbing. We don’t get any peace. We just want our community back,” Roby said.
The last couple of meetings have gotten heated, and the one two weeks ago had to be cut short as the village has faced criticism for restricting protest hours around the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center.
On Friday, outside that facility, more than 20 people were arrested, and four officers were injured, with three of them taken to a hospital, as demonstrators clashed with state and local law enforcement.
Village officials also said a group allegedly tried to “storm Village Hall” on Saturday and threatened to “shut down” Monday’s meeting.
But protesters dispute that claim. They provided video to ABC7, saying they peacefully filed a complaint there about force that was used at Friday’s demonstration.
“I’m not trying to make things hard for Broadview. I’m trying to make things hard for ICE, and Broadview is unfortunately making that hard to do,” said Ian, a protester.
In a statement, a group called the Coalition Against Broadview ICE Facility says it does not condone violence and is committed to peaceful protest.
Thompson, in a statement, said, “I will not allow threats of violence or intimidation to disrupt the essential functions of our government, and I will not allow other elected officials, Village Hall staff or residents to be placed in harm’s way.”
The mayor says that declaration will remain in effect as long as threats against the village continue.