Progressive House congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh has been indicted on federal charges stemming from protests outside a U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) facility near Chicago. The former journalist, now running as a Democrat in Illinois’ 9th District, faces two counts: conspiracy to impede or injure an ICE officer, and assaulting or impeding an officer while engaged in official duties.
The indictment accuses Abughazaleh, along with others, of aggressively banging on the agent’s side and back windows, hood, and other areas of the vehicle; pushing against it to “hinder and impede its movement;” and etching the word “PIG” on the car. Five other defendants are named in the indictment, some of whom also appear to be involved in progressive politics.
These charges are among the most serious recently brought against prominent protesters. Upon conviction, they carry prison sentences of up to six years for the conspiracy count and eight years for assaulting an officer.
Over the past month, as videos of protests, arrests, and aggressive immigration enforcement raids have circulated widely on social media, right-wing politicians and influencers have amplified calls for an even more forceful response. Federal law enforcement officials have prioritized the arrest and prosecution of individuals they accuse of interfering with the crackdown.
Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Palestinian American seen as a rising star in progressive politics, has been among hundreds of protesters regularly gathered outside the Broadview ICE detention facility since enforcement efforts increased in Chicago. Protesters are demanding that ICE stop raids, release detainees, and close the facility. These demonstrations have become a central focus of Abughazaleh’s campaign.
In response to the charges, Abughazaleh called them a “political prosecution” and a “gross attempt to silence dissent, a right protected under the First Amendment.” She added on X (formerly Twitter), “I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win.”
Videos of Abughazaleh’s interactions with federal agents have attracted attention from right-wing politicians and influencers who have called for her arrest. One video from September 19 shows Abughazaleh being thrown to the ground by a U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement agent. In the footage, Abughazaleh protests outside the Broadview facility when federal agents approach, with one stating, “Do not block the driveway.” One agent then grabs her, drags her back, and drops her onto the pavement.
Another video posted on September 26 shows an ICE vehicle inching through a group of protesters standing on the street outside the facility. Sharing the video on her social media accounts, Abughazaleh wrote, “At the Broadview ICE facility, an ICE agent tried to run dozens of protesters over with an SUV as we walked on a public crosswalk. He kept driving for about a full football field until ICE barraged us with pepper balls.”
Right-wing influencers quickly used these videos to call for Abughazaleh’s arrest and prosecution. Conspiracy theorist and unofficial Trump advisor Laura Loomer commented on X, “I love watching communists get body slammed by ICE.” Fox News host Laura Ingraham praised the ICE agents on her show, stating, “Good work.”
Other right-wing outlets influential in drawing attention from the Trump administration have also called for Abughazaleh’s arrest, many tagging U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The Department of Homeland Security posted the video showing an agent throwing Abughazaleh down, captioning it: “Individuals and groups impeding ICE operations are siding with vicious cartels, human traffickers, and violent criminals.”
Late last month, Attorney General Bondi directed federal agencies to “defend” ICE facilities in Portland and Chicago, promising aggressive arrests and prosecutions. “The Department of Justice will seek the most serious available charges against all participants in these criminal mobs, including conspiracy offenses, assault offenses, civil disorder offenses, and terrorism offenses,” Bondi posted on X.
For weeks, immigration enforcement operations in Chicago conducted by federal Border Patrol and ICE agents have been widely documented on social media. Videos and news reports have captured repeated clashes between agents and Chicago residents, during which agents have used force, including tear gas and pepper balls.
These activities have had significant impacts on local communities. At least one Chicago elementary school was forced to lock down due to ICE operations, and a children’s costume parade was canceled recently after an immigration enforcement raid took place in a residential neighborhood.
ICE enforcement actions and the use of force during protests have also been subject to legal challenges. Judge Sara Ellis of the Northern District of Illinois has ordered Border Patrol official Greg Bovino to report daily to the court on whether agents are enforcing the law within constitutional bounds.
Earlier this month, expressing concerns about federal agents’ conduct, Judge Ellis issued a temporary restraining order requiring agents to wear badges and body cameras, and prohibiting the use of tear gas on journalists and protesters who do not pose a threat.
https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/kat-abughazaleh-indicted-protests-chicago-area-ice-facility-rcna240572
