Welch Stands Up for Communities Targeted by Federal Agents with West Chicago Event, Message to Broadview

WESTCHESTER, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch is working to support communities being impacted by the federal deployment of masked and heavily armed troopers by calling out hostile and violent tactics deployed against the majority Black community of Broadview and supporting a Hispanic Heritage Month event in West Chicago—a community on edge as a result of recent ICE raids.

“The scenes of Donald Trump’s troopers teargassing Americans in Broadview, ransacking apartments in South Shore, and bringing violence and fear to West Chicago, Franklin Park, and so many other communities are images of the darkest moments of the past—not the bright future we all dream of,” Welch said. “They want to divide us, so it’s never been more important for us to stand united. While they come to create chaos, we have to create community.”

Welch joined West Chicago Representative Maura Hirschauer for a celebration of family, Hispanic heritage, and art this week, offering a safe and uplifting event in a city experiencing the strain of Donald Trump’s extrajudicial raids. Coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month, this family craft night celebrated the cultural contributions of West Chicago’s Latino residents while reflecting on the importance of representation and advocacy in local and state government.

Welch also released a video message to Broadview residents facing an extraordinary hostility from masked agents operating out of a federal facility in the village. Despite requests from community leaders, Trump’s agents have refused to share details of their activities with state or local law enforcement, they have blocked a public street leaving Broadview firefighters to respond to emergencies, and have the chemical munitions turned on Americans peacefully exercising their freedom of speech have seeped into the homes of community residents who just want to go about their lives.

“The people of Broadview are good neighbors. They look out for each other, because they know a community is a place where we should all feel safe. But every day since taking over the block on Beach Street, Donald Trump and his masked agents are showing that they have come to our community to antagonize and intimidate,” Welch said. “Through this all, we’ve seen the disrespect Donald Trump has for this majority Black community. I want the people to see something different. I want people to see that our state and our local leaders are standing up for this community.”