US Charges Journalist for Protesting Police, Not Police for Protesting Laws
Journalist Kat Abughazaleh, now a Democratic candidate, faces federal assault charges for protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Chicago, according to The Independent . Apparently, a 'shoving match' (her critics' words) qualifies for federal indictment for protestors, while ICE agents routinely operate with sweeping powers, often detaining individuals without due process, leading
to widespread human rights concerns from organizations like the ACLU and Human Rights Watch. One might wonder if the 'justice' system applies equally to those resisting state power and those wielding it. This isn't about 'assault' in the common sense; it's about criminalizing dissent. When protests against a state agency's controversial practices — such as separating families or conducting raids
without warrants — are met with federal conspiracy charges, it signals a chilling hierarchy: protesting injustice is deemed more criminal than the alleged injustices themselves. It appears some acts of 'disruption' are tolerated, even sponsored, while others are swiftly met with the full force of the federal government.