OPEN LETTER FROM ILLINOIS OFFICIALS CONDEMNING FEDERAL CHARGES AGAINST THE BROADVIEW SIX
Leni recently joined other Illinois officials supporting six people who received federal charges for protesting at the Broadview ICE facility. These officials signed a letter officially condemning the federal charges against congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, County Board candidate Cat Sharp, Committeeperson Michael Rabbitt, Oak Park Trustee Brian Straw, Joselyn Walsh, and Andre Martin. Read the full letter below.
OPEN LETTER FROM ILLINOIS OFFICIALS CONDEMNING FEDERAL CHARGES AGAINST THE BROADVIEW SIX
We, the undersigned, write to condemn the Trump administration's decision to file federal charges against a group of six people, including candidates, local officials, and activists, for protesting at the Broadview ICE facility.
Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, County Board candidate Cat Sharp, Committeeperson Michael Rabbitt, Oak Park Trustee Brian Straw, Joselyn Walsh, and Andre Martin now face prosecution for simply exercising their First Amendment rights.
This follows a disturbing national pattern, from the indictment of Rep. LaMonica Mclver in New Jersey to the charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, former FBI Director James Comey, and dozens of others who have challenged the Trump administration. Federal prosecutors are being weaponized to punish political opponents and silence dissent.
The politicization of our justice system crosses a fundamental line that should alarm anyone who cares about democracy and the rule of law. This is not what democracy looks like, and we cannot accept it as normal.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right to protest, and the people of Illinois have every reason to do so. For months, masked ICE agents have terrorized the city of Chicago and surrounding communities.
Federal agents have grabbed residents off the streets without warrant or explanation, including U.S. citizens. They have fatally shot unarmed civilians during traffic stops. They have caused multiple high-speed collisions in residential neighborhoods. They have pepper-sprayed innocent bystanders and peaceful protesters across Cook County and outside the Broadview ICE facility, including faith leaders and candidates for office.
Just this week, a federal judge cited ICE for tear-gassing trick-or-treaters and demanded Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino appear in court after federal agents repeatedly violated orders limiting use of force.
Masked ICE agents have transformed everyday life for thousands of our constituents. Parents won't send their kids to school, workers are choosing to stay home, and families are skipping doctors' appointments for fear of being picked up off the street. Nothing about this makes our communities safer.
These charges are meant to scare all of us into staying quiet because the Trump administration knows that they cannot justify their violent attacks on our communities.
We refuse to be silent.
We stand with Kat Abughazaleh, Andre Martin, Michael Rabbitt, Catherine Sharp, Brian Straw, and Joselyn Walsh, and we will continue standing with every resident who speaks out against what this administration is doing to our communities.
Sincerely,
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
48th Ward Alderwoman
