Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Palestinian American and Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois’ 9th District, has been indicted by the Department of Justice on charges related to protests outside an ICE facility. According to the indictment, she and other protesters reportedly conspired to impede an ICE agent’s duties on September 26, leading to allegations of physical actions against an agent’s vehicle.
The indictment details accusations of the protesters banging on the agent’s car, surrounding it to prevent access to the facility, and vandalizing the car by scratching the word “PIG” into its surface, breaking a side mirror, and damaging a rear windshield wiper. Other individuals named in the indictment include Michael Rabbitt, a member of the Cook County Democratic Committee, and Cat Sharp, a candidate for the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Charges of assaulting an officer can result in prison sentences of up to eight years.
Prior to the indictment, a video surfaced showing Abughazaleh being physically restrained by an ICE agent at a Broadview facility, which gained significant online attention. On the day of the described incident, she also shared a video on social media of herself and other protesters surrounding an ICE vehicle.
Right-wing media has highlighted her videos, urging her arrest and tagging U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Concurrently, former President Trump has criticized Illinois’s Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson for allegedly failing to protect ICE officers. The Trump administration has also pursued charges against several individuals opposing its agenda.
Abughazaleh, who has experience as a journalist and social media influencer, addressed the indictment in a video, claiming it represents a political prosecution aimed at stifling dissent. She argued that this case is part of a broader attempt by the Trump administration to criminalize protest. She also asserted that the indictment targets fundamental rights to protest and speak freely.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/809401/kat-abughazaleh-ice-indicted