Ninth District congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh addresses reporters following her Nov. 12 arraignment hearing in Chicago. She and five others, dubbed the “Broadview Six,” were charged with “impeding” a federal agent while protesting outside of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Maggie Dougherty)
Article Summary
- A group of six Democratic candidates, officeholders and activists pleaded not guilty Wednesday on federal charges they “impeded” a federal agent during a September protest outside of a Chicago-area U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility.
- Though video of the Sept. 26 incident shows nearly two dozen people surrounding a government vehicle, attorneys for those indicted say their clients have been targeted for their involvement in progressive politics.
- The six include 9th congressional district candidate Katherine “Kat” Abughazaleh, Cook County Board candidate Catherine “Cat” Sharp, a Chicago Democratic Ward committeeman, and an Oak Park trustee.
- The group is charged with conspiracy to prevent the agent from performing his duties by banging on the windows and hood of the vehicle he was driving into the ICE facility’s property.
This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.
CHICAGO — Six Chicago-area progressive candidates, officeholders and activists pleaded not guilty Wednesday on charges alleging they “impeded” a federal agent during a September protest outside of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in suburban Broadview.
The group, which includes 9th congressional district candidate Katherine “Kat” Abughazaleh, were indicted last month on a felony conspiracy charge alleging they conspired to “interrupt, hinder, and impede” the agent from the “discharge of his official duties.” They also face charges for misdemeanor simple assault of a federal officer, which does not require physical contact…