Judge Questions Federal Response to Protests in Chicago

US District Judge Sara Ellis pressed federal officials about the response to intense protests in Chicago, particularly after expanding her temporary restraining order to include body-worn cameras for agents. During the hearing, she sought clarification on which agency is responsible for what actions, how her order has been disseminated, and the extent of training on crowd control and protests. The judge expressed concerns about whether her earlier order was being followed and added a requirement for all agents to wear body cameras, except for those who are undercover, not in uniform, or exempt by Customs and Border Protection, ICE, or DHS policy.

Key Takeaways:

• Judge Ellis has concerns about whether her earlier restraining order was being followed, particularly regarding the use of force and actions against journalists documenting protests in Chicago.
• The judge expanded her restraining order to include mandatory body-worn cameras for all agents, except for those who are undercover, not in uniform, or exempt by Customs and Border Protection, ICE, or DHS policy.
• Every CBP agent on duty in Chicago, more than 200, has a body camera and knows they are required to use it.
• ICE's Special Response Teams have not been issued body cameras and would need to go through Congress to get approved.
• Federal agents are trained on how to respond to protesters, including use of force training, and have the ability to issue felony and misdemeanor citations during demonstrations.
• Members of ICE's Special Response Team are extensively trained, including on handling reporters and directing press questions to public affairs.
• The agency's Special Response Team falls under the same enforcement mission as ICE but reports directly to ICE Deputy Field Office Director Shawn Byers.
• When questioned about an incident outside the Broadview detention facility, Byers said the pastor, Rev. David Black, did not leave federal property when given multiple commands to do so, despite claims he was hit with pepper balls without warning.

Sources:

• CNN - "US District Judge Questions Federal Response to Ongoing Protests in Chicago Amid Operation Midway Blitz" (no date specified)
• CNN - "Judge wants body cameras on all officers at protests, not all have them" (no date specified)