Hand in hand, heads bowed and eyes closed, over 30 people gathered outside of the Broadview ICE detention facility this Friday as has been done every Friday for the past 20 years. However, this day marked one year since the clash between protesters and agents resulting in the infamous “Broadview Six” prosecution.
Village of Oak Park Trustee Brian Straw, Michael Rabbitt, Kat Abughazaleh and Andre Martin, four of the six protesters who were arrested outside of the facility on Sept. 26, 2025, reunited once again at the detention center.
People gather outside of the Broadview ICE Facility to join in prayer and protest on Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
Attendees of a protest and prayer circle hold an American flag at the Broadview ICE Facility on Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
A masked federal agent records media and protesters as they walk into the Broadview ICE Facility on Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
Attendees of a protest and prayer circle hold hands at the Broadview ICE Facility on Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
Federal officers stand inside the Broadview ICE Facility as cars line up to leave on Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
A person holds a rosary during a prayer circle and protest at the Broadview ICE Facility on Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan
“It was really important to me to come back and show we’re not afraid,” said Straw. “I think me and the rest of the members of the Broadview Six who are out here understand better than most that this administration wants us to be afraid, wants us to be afraid to stand up, but it’s important to show that we’re still standing and we’re still standing for the rights and dignity of the humans who are being detained inside this facility where the conditions just aren’t appropriate for human detention.”
As people prayed and sang, multiple masked agents walked into the facility past the group. Protesters also called out as agents drove through the gates, at one point witnessing an individual be loaded into a car and a string of vehicles drive out together.
One federal officer recorded media and protesters as the officer walked into the facility, and another car slowed as it exited with claims that the driver was showing pepper spray, but no other direct interaction between protesters and officers occurred.
Straw and Abughazaleh both echoed that they do face fear, especially when returning to the facility, but feel it is important to rise above.
“I’m afraid all the time,” said Abughazaleh. “I was 10 minutes late getting to the car because I had nightmares last night. What I think isn’t okay is cowardice, and bravery isn’t not being afraid; it’s showing up despite being afraid…Mace and tear gas are temporary, but ruined lives are forever.”
During the 2025 demonstration, protesters surrounded a vehicle driven by a federal immigration officer. It was reported that federal officers deployed tear gas and pepper balls during the conflict.
The Broadview Six were arrested and federally prosecuted on the charge of conspiracy, but the case ultimately unraveled amidst charges of prosecutorial misconduct earlier this year.
“The reason freedom of speech is important is it’s our right, it’s our right from birth, from existence, and that’s for everyone. That’s not just for people born here. That’s not just for a specific class. That’s for all of us,” said Abughazaleh. “The last year was meant to intimidate not only myself, Brian Straw, the rest of our co-defendants, but other people from speaking out, and it didn’t work.”
Attendees of a protest and prayer circle hold an American flag at the Broadview ICE Facility on Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
Oak Park Trustee Brian Straw stands next to Pastor Heidi Torgerson, right, during a prayer circle outside of the Broadview ICE Facility on Sept. 25, 2026. 
A protester raises a middle finger as federal agents drive out of the Broadview ICE Facility on Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
Masked federal agents stand inside Broadview ICE Facility on Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
An attendee of a protest outside of the Broadview ICE Facility prays on Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan
U.S. District Judge April Perry set a court hearing for Oct. 1, 2026, to hear arguments as the defendants push for a special prosecutor to investigate potential wrongdoing that led to the initial case being dismissed.
“We’re going into court next Thursday attempting to actually see real justice. That is transparency and accountability on behalf of the U. S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice, which exercised gross prosecutorial misconduct,” said Straw.
Jenna Leving Jacobson, another Oak Park village trustee, joined protesters outside of the facility to show support for her fellow elected official and continue to speak out against immigration enforcement tactics.
“I’m really proud just to stand in solidarity with Brian Straw,” said Leving Jacobson. “If we don’t keep standing together and don’t keep standing up, we won’t see an end to the violence, so it’s going to take all of us.”
Pastor Heidi Torgerson, an Oak Parker who regularly meets with people detained in the facility, was also in attendance to support Straw, and other Broadview Six members, who she described as her “friend and brother.” She reflected on the difference between this year and last.
“All of our lives are prayer, and the protests that unfolded here last year on this day were, in my estimation, also a form of prayer,” said Torgerson. “This kind of prayer this morning that you just experienced looks different than it did last year, but all of that activity is sort of toward the same goal of a more just and peaceful and humane world.”
Recently, over a dozen Illinois residents, including Oak Park Township Trustee Juan Muñoz, took legal action against the Trump Administration for alleged violence and abuse by federal agents. Muñoz was arrested outside of the Broadview facility just one week after the “Broadview Six” incident.
Last week, on Sept. 19, federal agents pepper-sprayed at least 10 protesters outside of the facility.
A candlelight vigil is being held on Sept. 26, 2026, at the Broadview detention center to remember and reflect on the past year. The event begins at 6 p.m.