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Angry Illinois Crowd Surrounds Man’s Balcony to Push Back Against ICE Attempt: ‘Wouldn’t This Qualify as Civil War?’

Thank you, neighbor

Brady Klinger-MeyersBy 2 Mins Read
Angry and Supportive Illinois Crowd Tries to Fend Off ICE as They Surround Neighbor on His Balcony
Image Source: Pexels

Tensions are ramping up in Chicago, Illinois, where the presence of ICE agents has seen a significant increase. After President Trump called for intensified operations in the city, areas outside Chicago are also feeling tension and protests, such as Elgin. In a recent video, an Illinois crowd decided to step up when a neighbor was being targeted by ICE in his own home. ICE reacted exactly how you’d expect: tear-gassing and assaulting anyone within reach.

A TikTok video posted by The News Movement, and the one to break the story, revealed footage of a neighborhood banding together against ICE. A 17-year-old ICE patroller, Ben Luhmann, captured the video, which shows ICE officers screaming at the teen and others who refuse to back down. According to Ben, they were “waiting for a guy” on his balcony. Despite the friction, Ben stays fairly calm—he documents ICE activities and arrest on the regular:

@voteinorout

Two teens have gone viral for quietly following #ICE agents in their hometown, filming detentions so families have proof of what happened. Their videos show exactly how ICE reacts when someone simply records them. One agent shouted “Stop following us, you’re impeding us,” even though the teens kept repeating “We’re just recording, we’re not impeding you.” One teen explains that agents have “boxed in our car, pulled us out, held Sam against the door with his hands behind his back” and threatened arrest, even though “there’s nothing they can really do with it” unless real charges stick. The teens also point out that ICE treats them differently because they’re white minors, saying it’s “privilege that shouldn’t be here” and choosing to “use that privilege to do the right thing.” Their latest video shows them whispering “They’re here at college” as an ICE truck pulls in. For thousands of young people watching, this is a reminder that recording ICE is legal, agents often rely on intimidation, and communities are stepping in where the government has failed to protect families from sudden, terrifying detentions. #ICE #AbolishICE #Immigration #HumanRights #Justice #Trending #FYP #News #CommunityDefense #KnowYourRights — Ben and Sam Luhmann are teenage brothers who spend their mornings tracking ICE agents in the Chicago suburbs. In this clip from our documentary, “The Teens Tracking ICE,” they reflect on the role of white privilege in their encounters with federal agents. Watch the full story on YouTube (link in bio). repost @thenewsmovement Help this information get to more voters. 🇺🇸 A well-informed electorate is a prerequisite to Democracy.—Thomas Jefferson

♬ original sound – Vote In Or Out

But things took a drastic turn when ICE took to tear-gassing and pepper-spraying Elgin locals, even tackling them to the ground. Several agents tackle someone into the snow, holding him down and threatening to pepper-spray anyone trying to intervene. It never takes much for ICE to get violent.

What got ICE riled up then? Allegedly, ICE was in the area to arrest a man they pegged as a “suspect” of being in a Venezuelan gang. However, the police have not provided any evidence thus far. They arrested the man, but who knows if he was actually doing anything wrong. ICE has been known to just pick anyone up—including Americans—if you so much as whisper dissent.

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One commenter questioned, “As a non American… wouldn’t this qualify as a civil war? They aren’t showing faces or government ID, what the hell?”

“The ICE agents looks so unorganized, untrained and terrified,” another suggested. I’d like to know why so many have gear that doesn’t fit them right. Are they hurting for cash?

“And America still thinks they’re the best country in the world,” another stated. Regardless of your citizenship status, it’s a pretty grim reaction to families being on the “wrong” plot of dirt. But clearly, cruelty is the point.

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human interest Illinois
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Brady has been writing about video games for the better part of four years. When he isn't obsessing over RPGs or games from his childhood, there's a good chance he's working on another short story.

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