Updated:
Mayor Biss: “I said they were required to show justification….they simply declined to do so.”
By Bob Seidenberg
As many as 20 federal officers converged on the Mobil Gas Station at 1950 Green Bay Road this morning, apparently taking four individuals into custody as an angry crowd surged on the scene, cars honking and whistles blowing in the background.
”Get out of here! Go home, this is our town!,” crowd members yelled at the officers, the sound of helicopters hovering overhead.
Mayor Daniel Biss, Police Chief Schenita Stewart and Council member Clare Kelly were among those who showed up, joining crowd members.
The mayor made a beeline through the throng, standing feet away from the federal officer, Greg Bovino of the Customs and Border Patrol, leading the operation.
Summing up his conversation, Biss said, “they refused to say who they took, they refused to say why, they refused to show a warrant, they refused to show any justification.”
”I said they were required to show justification, they were required to show a warrant. They simply declined to do so.”
The city and the Evanston Police Department issued a joint statement later in the day:
“The Evanston Police Department does not, and will not, coordinate with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The department’s response was consistent with Local Ordinance 75-O-25 (Welcoming City Ordinance), the Illinois TRUST Act, and prior guidance communicated publicly by City officials. This approach reflects established policy and practice and will continue to guide the Evanston Police Department’s response to CBP/ICE operations.
“The department’s focus remains on restoring order and documenting these incidents as they occur. Encounters between CBP and community members should be reported to the Illinois Accountability Commission.”
Julian Jackson, a Rogers Park resident who grew up in Evanston, was one of the people to arrive early at the scene, responding to services on line tracking federal officers.
”I think this is for show, they’re trying to portray that they’re tough,” he said. “Evanston is not a bid of migrant activity. It’s wonderful to see the people of Evanston stand up.”
”I think especially with the holiday, whatever you celebrate, it’s a troublesome time to be whisking people away because of the color of their skin,” he said, as close to a dozen vans carrying the officers and detainees began leaving the scene.
Great story.
Credit to my guy Mohammad, Mary, who runs the Meineke Car Center across the street. He spotted the activity as I was in there, and then I started over there and saw all the activity!