In the latest example of the Trump Administration infringing on free speech, an anonymous federal official told Broadview, IL, faith leaders 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 call followed an 11:30 a.m. interfaith service in the free speech zone near the facility at 1930 Beach St., that called on federal immigration officials to let faith leaders into the building to provide interfaith services to detainees. Although it was not explicitly stated, it appears that future services like Friday’s would fall under the ban…
“We’re here today not simply out of protest or demonstration, but because our faith does not allow us to remain silent while war has been declared on the men, women and the children of our city,” [Father Michael] Pfleger said. “This administration of an incompetent, narcissistic, wannabe dictator has chosen to invoke fear, pain and terror on the city of Chicago and its citizens.”
The free speech zone is on land owned by the village.
Earlier this week, Pope Leo appealed to the Administration to attend to the “spiritual needs” of migrants, in general. Last month, ICE shot Presbyterian pastor Reverend David Black in the head with a pepper ball as he prayed outside the Broadview facility.
Other examples of the Trump Administration trampling on free speech include the March arrest of a legal resident, Colombia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil and its response to critics of conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his murder.
Also this week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura McNally ordered DHS to improve the “inhumane” conditions at Broadview.
It requires officials to provide detainees at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the west Chicago suburb of Broadview with a clean bedding mat and sufficient space to sleep, soap, towels, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, menstrual products and prescribed medications.
She plans to visit the facility soon.
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