Pastor Speaks Out After ICE Pepper-Ball Shot in Broadview

(BROADVIEW, ILLINOIS) A Chicago pastor was struck in the head by a pepper ball fired by ICE agents during a September protest outside the federal detention and processing center in this suburb, prompting legal action and renewed debate over protest safety and civil rights.

Pastor David Black, a Presbyterian minister from First Presbyterian Church in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago, was among demonstrators gathered at the facility when agents positioned on the roof fired pepper balls into the crowd, according to video and witness accounts. One pepper ball hit Black in the head, causing him to fall as others rushed to help.

The incident occurred in September 2025, in the midst of larger protests over federal immigration enforcement in the Chicago area under President Trump. Black said he had been offering an altar call near the facility’s gates and inviting agents to receive salvation when he was struck. He later said he heard agents laughing after the impact, raising pointed questions about training, restraint, and the rules that guide force against peaceful demonstrators.

Video from the scene shows federal agents firing multiple rounds as protesters chant and hold signs. The projectile that hit Black left him dazed. Others at the demonstration can be seen guiding him away and checking for injuries. As of October 13, 2025, he is reported to be physically okay, though he and other protesters, supported by the ACLU, have moved quickly to seek court protection.

What happened outside the Broadview facility

Protesters gathered outside the ICE center in Broadview, a frequent site of rallies and vigils related to deportation processing. Organizers say attendance included faith leaders, immigrant families, and Chicago community advocates. They came to challenge what they describe as intensified enforcement in and around Chicago, and to call for limits on force used by federal officers during crowd control.

Black, who wore a clergy stole, addressed both the crowd and the officers. Moments later, the pepper ball hit his head.

The projectile, designed to burst and release an irritant, is commonly used for crowd control. While less lethal than other munitions, pepper balls can cause serious injury when they strike the head or face. The federal government’s internal rules on force authorize certain crowd-control tools under specific conditions, including warnings when feasible and careful aim away from the head. The ICE Use of Force policy outlines the general framework for such decisions and officer accountability; the public can review that guidance on ICE’s website at the ICE Use of Force policy. Civil rights lawyers argue the video raises concerns about whether agents followed those standards.

Witnesses say agents on the roof used a launcher to fire several rounds toward the front of the crowd. Black’s fall set off cries for a medic. Several protesters linked arms to form space while others rinsed his face and checked the wound. The crowd then moved back toward the sidewalk, and legal observers took notes. No arrests were immediately reported in the accounts shared by organizers.

Legal and community response

The ACLU says Black and others are seeking an emergency court order, alleging “illegal and brutal suppression” of First Amendment rights. Lawyers involved in the effort describe the case as both a bid to protect future protests and a demand for accountability for what happened that day. Black is also suing the Trump administration over the incident, according to organizers.

The filings argue that firing pepper balls into a crowd that included clergy and families:

• Chilled speech
• Punished peaceful assembly
• Violated constitutional protections

In statements shared by supporters, Black questioned the intentions of the ICE agents, asking why officers charged with carrying out immigration laws would aim at his head while he stood in prayer. “I wonder about their intentions,” he said, expressing fear that lax oversight and a lack of clear consequences could lead to more harm as demonstrations continue.

Community groups in Chicago say the Broadview facility has been a focal point for prayers, vigil lines, and regular Friday gatherings for years. Advocates often share information with families about detention procedures, removal timelines, and legal referrals while keeping distance from facility entrances. Faith leaders have long played a visible role, from offering comfort to encouraging nonviolent conduct during protests.

Organizers now fear that the use of pepper balls from an elevated position could change how families and supporters show up, raising worries that people will stay away out of fear.

Broader implications and analysis

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, moments like this often push both sides into rapid legal battles that test the boundaries of crowd control, speech, and safety near federal buildings. The group notes that court orders sought after protest crackdowns can shape policy far beyond one city, affecting how officers plan and how communities assemble.

The ACLU frames the Broadview case as part of a broader pattern of aggressive federal enforcement and protest suppression in the Chicago area. Their filings point to the government’s obligations to protect speech while managing security at federal sites. Lawyers say basic steps can reduce harm without blocking peaceful assembly, including:

• Clear warnings over loudspeaker
• Visible buffer zones
• Aiming restrictions (avoid head/face shots)

For immigrant families, the event lands on top of daily fears about raids, detention, and removal. Parents who stood near Black on the day of the incident told supporters they worry that a simple show of solidarity could now carry a higher risk. Pastors and lay leaders say they will continue to appear, but they want guardrails that protect both protesters and officers.

Policy scholars note that use-of-force cases hinge on context: crowd behavior, officer training, supervisor control, and real-time threats. But they say video evidence makes these disputes more concrete. Here, the clip showing agents firing from the roof and the projectile striking a clergy member gives judges and the public a clear scene to assess whether policy and constitutional standards were met.

Safety recommendations for future protests

Advocates are urging protesters to take practical steps before future events in Chicago and nearby suburbs:

1. Identify legal observers and medics at the start, and save their numbers.
2. Carry goggles and saline in case of pepper spray or pepper ball exposure.
3. Keep a safe distance from elevated positions where officers may deploy crowd-control rounds.
4. Record events when safe, and back up files immediately after dispersal.

These steps aim to protect participants while documenting conduct should legal action become necessary.

If a court grants the emergency order, it could set clear limits on when and how less-lethal munitions may be used around federal buildings in the region. If the court declines, organizers say they will continue to press for policy changes and independent review.

Black remains active with his congregation and with city faith networks. Supporters say his recovery, while a relief, does not erase the fear that another pepper ball could cause a more serious injury. Their goal now is twofold:

• Protect the right to speak out
• Make sure no one—pastor, parent, or child—leaves a protest with a head wound