llinois Democrat Who Was Assaulted by ICE Hit With Federal Charges Over Chicago Protest

Kat Abughazaleh, a progressive Democrat and social media personality running for Congress in Illinois, is facing federal charges following her participation in a protest outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility near Chicago.

According to an indictment filed this week, Abughazaleh has been charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer and assaulting or impeding an officer during a September protest at the Broadview ICE detention center.

Prosecutors allege that Abughazaleh and other demonstrators surrounded a government vehicle, hit the hood and windows, and scratched the car, including carving the word PIG into the paint. The group is also accused of breaking a side mirror and the rear windshield wiper.

A video posted by Abughazaleh on social media that day shows protesters standing in front of the ICE vehicle, pressing their hands against the hood as the driver slowly pushed forward. Protesters can be heard shouting and striking the car as it moved through the crowd.

In a statement after the indictment, Abughazaleh denounced the charges as a political prosecution and an attempt to silence dissent. She said the case represents an effort by the Trump administration to criminalize protest and punish those who speak out, calling the charges unjust.

Abughazaleh is not the only political figure named in the case. Others charged include Catherine Sharp, chief of staff to a Chicago alderman and candidate for the Cook County Board; Michael Rabbitt, a Democratic ward committeeman; and Brian Straw, a member of the Oak Park Village Board.

Sharp’s attorney, Molly Armour, called the charges unfounded and expressed confidence that a jury will recognize them as an attempt by the Trump administration to intimidate people from protesting and exercising their First Amendment rights.

Protests at the Broadview ICE facility have been frequent since former President Donald Trump ordered ICE agents to increase enforcement in the Chicago area, drawing outrage from immigrant-rights activists and progressive leaders.

Abughazaleh has a history of activism at Broadview. In previous demonstrations, she was reportedly teargassed and thrown to the ground by ICE agents.

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, another Democrat running for Congress in the same district, also defended Abughazaleh. He described the charges as frivolous and said the protests are peaceful demonstrations against the detention of immigrants. Biss added that the Trump administration is targeting protesters, including political candidates, in an effort to silence dissent and intimidate communities, but that such efforts will not succeed.

The Department of Justice has not yet responded to requests for comment.

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Sandra Williams

Sandra is a science enthusiast and a researcher by nature. Her articles are informative and eloquent in equal measures, and always include knowledge that is verified by authentic sources. She is a maven at health related sciences and takes an interest in new scientific findings from all facets of the subject. Her column is a ready reckoner on all that is going on in the world of scientific study, and health sciences, including disease outbreaks, their causes, and prevention measures being taken.

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