US News

An anonymous federal representative told demonstrators at a “Faith over Fear” rally Friday that there would be “no more prayer” in front of or inside the ICE facility located in Broadview, a west suburb of Chicago.

Broadview Police Chief Thomas Mills said that he was “trying to figure out” in discussions with Mayor Katrina Thompson and an attorney if a federal agency could legally ban religious gatherings on land owned by the village. Religious groups previously have been allowed to practice outside the facility, he said.

“I’m dumbfounded,” the police chief told a Block Club Chicago reporter. “Every time I talk with [federal officials], it feels like their rules keep changing. We don’t really know what’s happening.”

During the call, the anonymous representative told faith leaders and activists, with the reporter present, that “There is no more prayer in front of building or inside the building because this is the state and it’s not [of a] religious background.”

The Faith over Fear rally will be held on the first Friday of every month from November forward, organizers said. Since Oct. 3, protesters have largely confronted a “Unified Command” made up of the Broadview Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police.

Over 70 protesters have been arrested by state and local forces since the Unified Command established “free speech zones” for protesters to assemble.

(Taken from an email sent to me by Never Again Action.)