CHICAGO, IL — Today, Anabel Mendoza, a lifelong Chicagoan, daughter of immigrants, and the youngest candidate running for Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, stood in solidarity with local faith leaders and community organizers, led by Mennonite Action Chicago, at a major protest outside the Broadview processing center—an infamous de facto detention site long condemned for its inhumane and abusive conditions. The gathering was “the largest crowd seen in Broadview in recent weeks.” More than 21 individuals were tackled and arrested, including several pastors who helped lead the peaceful action throughout the morning. Footage of Anabel being pushed in the crowd while protecting an elderly woman can be found here.

“Broadview has long been a site of cruelty and trauma for immigrant families, and ICE continues to operate with impunity, tearing apart lives and sparking violence in our city without consequence. What we witnessed today was peaceful people of faith calling for dignity and freedom for every single person who continues to be detained inside Broadview, only to be met with force. I stand firmly with our immigrant communities and against any system that criminalizes their existence. This is a moment where we all must ask ourselves: what side of history will we choose to be on? I hope for our collective sake, we continue to stand with each other,” shared Anabel Mendoza.

Mendoza also announced that she will be bringing a caravan of interfaith and multiracial faith and community leaders from Chicago’s West and South Side to the Broadview facility on Tuesday, November 18 at 11am CST. For details, please contact ivonne@anabelforcongress.com. 

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Anabel Mendoza is a community organizer, immigrant advocate, and the youngest candidate running for Congress in Illinois’ 7th District. A lifelong Chicagoan and the proud daughter and granddaughter of immigrants, she has dedicated her career to fighting for working families, immigrant rights, and a government that serves people, not corporations. She’s running to bring unity, honesty, and courage to Washington. For more information, visit www.anabelforcongress.com