CHICAGO — Cook County prosecutors on Wednesday dropped charges against 19 protesters who were arrested outside of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in suburban Broadview in the fall.
They were the latest Broadview protest cases dismissed in recent weeks. In early February, prosecutors with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office dropped charges against 19 protesters, including several faith leaders who were arrested on misdemeanor charges during a clergy-led protest in Broadview on Nov. 14. And last month prosecutors dropped charges against 21 other Broadview protesters, mostly suburban moms who staged a sit-in on Nov. 7.
That means the majority of protesters who faced charges stemming from Broadview demonstrations have seen their cases dropped. Of the roughly 100 cases that were initially brought, more than 60 have been dropped, while fewer than 10 protesters have accepted plea deals, according to the state’s attorney’s office. Roughly 20 cases are still pending…