Speaker Welch in Broadview: ‘Mr. Trump, Tear Down This Fence!’
Welch, Local Officials Rally Demanding Trump Comply with Court Order to Remove Illegal Fence
WESTCHESTER, Ill. – The Trump Administration has removed their illegal fence blocking Beach Street in Broadview after House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson, and dozens of local leaders rallied outside of the Broadview ICE facility this week, demanding Trump abide by court orders and remove the blockade.
“For several weeks now, without permission or collaboration with the community, this fence has been standing here blocking the community’s access to its own streets and standing as a symbol of division,” Welch said. “This fence is a symbol of dividing families. This fence is a symbol of dividing communities. This fence is a symbol of dividing Americans. This fence is a symbol of denying American Constitutional rights. This fence is also a distraction, and a reinforcement of the havoc Trump has wreaked on our nation. Black women have lost jobs at a higher rate than any demographic. Our community—this very community—is being stripped of DEI programming that supports our youth, and folks are returning their animals to shelters because they can't afford to care for them. We must pull back all of these fences and all of these barriers to the American dream. Mr. Trump, tear down this fence now.”
Welch united community leaders, faith leaders, and members of the Illinois Black and Latino Caucuses for a show of unity in the community on Monday. Participants explained how the fence—erected last month by Trump’s agents without any effort to go through the village’s permitting process or consult with local law enforcement about how the fence would obstruct the work of fire fighters, police, and paramedics—exemplified the oppression and disrespect Trump’s agents had brought to Broadview.
The Village of Broadview won a court order stating that the fence must be removed, and attendees at the rally demanded the Trump Administration abide by the order.
