Chicago Dem Candidate Over Attack on ICE Agent at Broadview Facility [WATCH]

Federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment charging six individuals, including congressional candidate and former Media Matters activist Kat Abughazaleh, Cook County Board candidate Catherine “Cat” Sharp, and Democratic committeeman Michael Rabbitt, for their alleged involvement in a violent confrontation outside a federal immigration facility in Broadview, Illinois.

The indictment, filed in the Northern District of Illinois and unsealed Wednesday, accuses the defendants of conspiring to obstruct a federal officer assigned to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Prosecutors allege that the six “prevented by force, intimidation, and threat” an ICE agent from performing his lawful duties during the September 26 protest at the Broadview Processing Center.

According to court documents, the group surrounded a federal vehicle entering the facility, struck the hood and windows, and damaged its exterior by scratching the word “PIG” into the side.

The indictment states that protesters broke the vehicle’s mirrors and windshield wipers while blocking the agent’s path, forcing him to move “at an extremely slow rate of speed” to avoid hitting individuals in the crowd.

NEWS: Federal prosecutors indict Kat Abughazaleh, congressional candidate, county board candidate Cat Sharp and Dem committeeman Michael Rabbitt over September Broadview protest pic.twitter.com/tJ6msMX2MO

— Gregory Royal Pratt (@royalpratt) October 29, 2025

The Broadview ICE facility, located just outside Chicago, is used for processing illegal aliens detained in the region.

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The site has been a recurring location for weekly demonstrations organized by anti-ICE activists.

Authorities said the September 26 protest escalated when agitators blocked entry and refused to disperse, prompting federal officers to deploy pepper balls and tear gas to clear the area.

Along with Abughazaleh, Sharp, and Rabbitt, three others — identified as Andre Martin, Brian Straw, and Joselyn Walsh — were charged under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, Sections 111(a)(1), 372, and 2, covering assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers and conspiracy to interfere with federal law enforcement operations.

Each count carries potential prison time if convicted.

Following the unsealing of the indictment, Abughazaleh released a video on X acknowledging the charges.

“I have been charged in a federal indictment sought by the Department of Justice. This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win,” she said.

In a longer video statement, Abughazaleh identified herself as a candidate running in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District and characterized the prosecution as politically motivated.

“This is a political prosecution and a gross attempt to silence dissent, a right protected under the First Amendment,” she said.

“This case is a major push by the Trump administration to criminalize protest and punish anyone who speaks out against them.”

Abughazaleh went on to allege that protesters have been “hit, dragged, thrown, shot with pepper balls, and tear gassed” by federal officers during immigration enforcement demonstrations.

“The Trump administration wants you to be afraid of speaking out against it and its anti-democratic power grabs,” she said, vowing to fight the charges and continue her campaign.

Prosecutors, however, maintain that the defendants’ actions went beyond constitutionally protected speech.

Several rioters arrested outside Broadview ICE facility near Chicago.

ICE agents repel agitators with crowd control munitions. pic.twitter.com/BjTYVAkGlA

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) September 26, 2025

The indictment describes a coordinated effort to physically obstruct and intimidate a federal officer and damage government property during the course of official duties.

ICE officials confirmed that the September 26 incident caused significant disruption to enforcement operations at the facility and resulted in property damage to multiple government vehicles. No officers were seriously injured.

All six defendants were arraigned this week and released on bond pending trial.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on ongoing litigation but confirmed that additional evidence, including video recordings from the scene, will be introduced as part of the case.

Federal officials have reiterated that while peaceful protest is protected, violence, intimidation, and obstruction of federal agents constitute criminal conduct.

The case will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for later this month in U.S. District Court in Chicago.