Indictment of Kat Abughazaleh
Feds claim Kat Abughazaleh "impeded" ICE agents, which could be seen as a positive act in the eyes of history.
Abughazaleh allegedly protested in Broadview, Illinois, where ICE agents were "forced to drive at an extremely slow rate of speed," according to federal authorities.
The Justice Department has indicted Abughazaleh, a Democratic congressional candidate, on federal charges for participating in a nonviolent protest outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Chicago.
If six people nonviolently protesting outside a government facility constitutes a criminal conspiracy, all First Amendment-protected activity is at risk.
- Abughazaleh and five other protesters are charged with "impeding and interfering with an officer of the United States."
- The six protesters are also charged together as alleged members of a "conspiracy" to prevent the officer from discharging his duties.
Author's summary: Abughazaleh's indictment raises concerns about First Amendment rights.