Thread: IL-Police arrest immigration demonstrators in Ill.

Police arrest immigration demonstrators in Ill.

April 27, 2010 1:15 PM ET

BROADVIEW, Ill. (AP) - Federal officials say deportations went on as scheduled despite a demonstration where protesters blocked traffic outside an immigration facility in suburban Chicago.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Gail Montenegro says protesters halted a van belonging to the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department in Wisconsin. It was carrying two detainees back to the county's jail.

Twenty-four protesters, many ministers and rabbis, were arrested Tuesday. Their goal was to stop deportations.

Twice a week, illegal immigrants processed at the center in Broadview are deported to Mexico on a flight from O'Hare International Airport.

Arrestee Tom Walsh is a director at the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs. He says the protest was a powerful experience and believes the group at least stalled operations.


http://www.wxow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12383481

Twenty-four protesters, many ministers and rabbis, were arrested Tuesday. Their goal was to stop deportations.

These protesters could stop deportations by taking their place, pick the illegal of your choice, swap citizenship/passports with them, and permanently leave the USA. I would support that type of "path to citizenship" for illegal aliens.

I wonder if any of those arrested are now in the care of ICE.

24 immigration reform protesters arrested outside suburban Chicago federal detention center

SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press Writer

2:27 PM CDT, April 27, 2010
CHICAGO (AP) — Authorities in suburban Chicago say 24 immigration reform protesters have been arrested and cited for disorderly conduct after sitting on a street to block a van carrying deportees from a federal detention center.

The activists say they're tired of waiting for President Barack Obama to make good on his vow for immigration reform and are shifting their tactics, including more civil disobedience at May 1 immigrant rights rallies.

Demonstrators also chanted "Illinois is not Arizona." Arizona recently approved a measure that would make it a crime under state law to be in the U.S. illegally.

Broadview Police Chief Ray Pelletier says the demonstrators were peaceful.


http://www.abc26.com/news/nationworld/s ... 1434.story

Apr 27, 2010 3:10 pm US/Central

Protesters Arrested For Blocking Van Of Deportees

24 Demonstrators Cited For Disordelry Conduct After Sitting In Street To Block Van

By SOPHIA TAREEN, Associated Press Writer
BROADVIEW, Ill. (AP) ―

Energized by Arizona's tough new law, immigration reform activists temporarily blocked traffic outside a suburban Chicago immigration facility on Tuesday in an attempt to stop deportations.

While operations continued as planned at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement center in Broadview, 24 protesters -- many rabbis, priests and union workers -- were arrested and cited with disorderly conduct.

The activists say they're tired of waiting for President Barack Obama to make good on his vow for immigration reform and are shifting their tactics, including more civil disobedience at May 1 immigrant rights rallies.

"We wanted to send a message to the Obama administration that friends keep promises," said Tom Walsh, a director for Chicago's Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, who was arrested. "No more. We cannot on one day say we have a broken immigration system and then deport ... everyday."

Hundreds gathered overnight at the center where illegal immigrants from several states are processed before deportation. Twice a week, flights depart for the Mexican border from O'Hare International Airport.

By morning, two dozen sat in the street and blocked a van from leaving the center while others cheered and chanted "Illinois is not Arizona."

Arizona recently approved a measure that would make it a crime under state law to be in the U.S. illegally. The move has spurned protest activity nationwide by those who believe the law encourages racial profiling and discrimination.

"There has been a racial reign of terror that has been spreading across the U.S. against Latinos and immigrants in general," said Joshua Hoyt, the executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, who was also arrested.

The van belonged to the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department in Wisconsin and was carrying two detainees not being deported back to the county's jail, said ICE spokeswoman Gail Montenegro.

The agency "respects the fundamental right of individuals to protest," she said in a statement. "However, despite the recent protests, ICE agents continued their operations as planned."

She said 67 Mexican nationals were deported Tuesday.

All 24 protesters were issued with citations for disorderly conduct and are expected in court on May 24.

"It was very peaceful," said Broadview Police Chief Ray Pelletier.

He said the misdemeanor could mean a fine of up to $750.

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/immigratio ... 59135.html

Twice a week, illegal immigrants processed at the center in Broadview are deported to Mexico on a flight from O'Hare International Airport.

Well, for anyone who's wondering, there's a clue how many illegals are in Illinois. Good grief!

Added to Homepage:
http://www.alipac.us/article-5193--0-0.html

Did they check the paperwork of the criminals that were trying to stop the other criminals from their nice comfy flight back to Mexico?

Our government needs a swift kick in the azz